Riders boarding a trolley in Boston. (New Boston Post photo by Beth Treffeisen)
BOSTON – Fare hikes and other actions proposed for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority will be the focus of 10 public meetings set to gather input from people across Greater Boston.
The meetings will take place through Feb. 11 to give the public a chance to voice their concerns, objections or support for consideration by the transit agency’s Fiscal and Management Control Board and the state Transportation Department. The control board is expected to vote on actions it may take to help close a budget gap of more than $240 million.
The board has proposed two scenarios of fare hikes, either about 5 percent or 10 percent, along with a range of other actions. T patrons can gauge the effects on their commutes using an online Fare Options Comparison tool. The site also provides a way for people to offer comments on the plans.
The fare adjustment is just part of a larger effort by the state to erase a $242 million structural deficit along with making improvements in operational efficiency. Among the proposals are ending late-night service launched in March 2014, which extended Friday and Saturday service hours by 90 minutes on subways and key bus routes.
Written comments about late-night service will be accepted through Feb. 12 and can be mailed to the attention of the Late-Night Service Committee at the MBTA, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, 02116. Comments may also be submitted online at mbta.com; by email to [email protected]; or by phone at 617-222-5146.
Comments about proposed fare changes must be submitted by Feb. 12, and can be mailed to the attention of the Fare Proposal Committee, MBTA, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, 02116; online at mbta.com; by email to [email protected]; or by phone at 617-222-3200. The hearing-impaired can use a TTY line at 617-222-5146.
Here is the schedule for the planned meetings:
Late-night service:
Jan. 19, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
State Transportation Building
10 Park Plaza, Boston
Jan. 20, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Cambridge City Hall
795 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge
Fare and rail schedule changes:
Jan. 25, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Breed Middle School
90 O’Callaghan Way, Lynn
Jan. 27, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Malden High School Auditorium
77 Salem St., Malden
Jan. 28, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Concord Town Hall
22 Monument Square, Concord
Feb. 1, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Union Station,
2 Washington Square, Worcester
Fare changes:
Jan. 26, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
West Middle School Auditorium
271 West St., Brockton
Riders boarding a trolley in Boston. (New Boston Post photo by Beth Treffeisen) 
