MassDOT Board To Weigh Compensation For T Riders

BOSTON (AP) — Do MBTA riders deserve a financial break to help make up for the weeks of winter weather-related delays and cancellations they endured?

That's the question the state's transportation board could decide during a meeting on Wednesday.

MBTA officials have floated several ideas to compensate passengers, ranging from a week of free fares on the system to rebates for monthly pass holders.

Keller @ Large: Should The MBTA Offer A Refund?

All of the proposals would come with a price tag for the T. It's estimated that a free fare week, for example, would result in $6 million in lost revenue. Some board members worry that would take resources away from upgrading the aging system and prevent future failures.

Board chairman John Jenkins said he also worried that offering refunds could set a precedent that customers would expect in the future.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.