Lawmakers reject Baker’s MBTA fare cap change

Printed from: https://newbostonpost.com/2016/07/15/lawmakers-reject-bakers-mbta-fare-cap-change/

Senators rejected Gov. Charlie Baker’s amendment to a proposed new cap on MBTA fare hikes on a 30-10 vote Thursday night.

The House also rejected the governor’s proposed change on Thursday.

The Legislature had sent the governor a new cap of up to 7 percent every two years on any individual fare or pass.

The governor agreed to the 7 percent cap, but he sought more freedom to raise various fares and passes by different amounts averaging out to 7 percent.

Current law allows fares to be raised by up to 10 percent. Fares increased an average of 9.3 percent on July 1.

Senate Ways and Means Chairwoman Karen Spilka said the governor’s amendment could also be interpreted to allow fare increases more often than once every two years.

— Written by Andy Metzger

Copyright State House News Service