Disabled MBTA Riders Protest Fare Hikes

BOSTON (AP) — Disabled and elderly mass transit riders and advocates are taking their case against fare hikes to state transportation officials.

A coalition led by the Massachusetts Senior Action Council says there's been a ridership drop of nearly 19 percent in the MBTA's door-to-door service The Ride since fares doubled last July. That ridership figure is compared with the same period a year earlier.

The advocates say many people have had to cut back on using The Ride since fares went from $2 to $4. The average fare increase for all other transit services was 23 percent.

Advocates plan to address the finance committee of the MBTA and Transportation Department on Thursday in Boston.

State officials have said they regret the impact of the increase on disabled riders but don't have many options because the service is expensive to operate.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.