MBTA Control Board Sets Stage For Fare Hikes
BOSTON (AP) — Boston-area residents could soon be paying more to take public transportation, but how much more could depend on how state law is interpreted.
The fiscal control board that oversees the financially strapped Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority approved a policy Monday that allows fare hikes of up to 10 percent every two years, and officials say fares could jump as soon as July.
Some lawmakers, including Democratic Senate President Stan Rosenberg, contend that a 2013 state law was intended to limit fare increases to no more than 5 percent every two years. They believe MBTA officials would have to ask the Legislature's permission for a fare hike of more than 5 percent.
Transit officials interpret the law to allow the higher percentage increase without permission.
A proposal to raise fares 10 percent would also likely run into vocal opposition from riders who also believed the 2013 law was meant to cap fare hikes at 5 percent every other year. The T Riders Union, in a letter to the control board last week, said "backtracking" on the fare cap would be a "profound insult" to commuters.
The MBTA raised fares by an average 23 percent in 2012 but still faces a potential operating deficit of $242 million in the next fiscal year, rising to about $450 million by 2020.
Gov. Charlie Baker has also said that he's not convinced the T has made a case for higher fares.
The board was created by Baker and the Legislature after storms last winter paralyzed the system.
Board Chairman Joseph Aiello also called for an audit after T officials disclosed that nearly a quarter of its employees will make more than $100,000 this year, including overtime and retroactive pay raises. Aiello says he is concerned about the productivity of employees who work too much overtime.
Officials pointed out that much of the overtime was needed during winter storms.
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