MBTA Proposes 6.3 Percent Rate Hike

The MBTA announced plans Monday to raise fares by 6.3 percent. The proposal, which would take effect in July, would be the first in three years.

MBTA officials said the "modest fare increase" would help the beleaguered transit system keep pace with rising costs by netting $32 million in additional revenue. The increase would be across the whole MBTA system.

A subway ride with a Charlie Card currently costs $2.25. The proposed fare hike would increase that to $2.40. Taking the T to and from work five times a week would be an extra $1.50 a week and about $6 a month. Bus fares would increase from $1.70 to $1.80.

"Fare hikes are an unpleasant bit of this business but they are an important part of the MBTA's funding stream," MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak said. "This is, I think, a modest fare increase, it keeps pace with inflation and I also think doing it on a periodic basis where the rise is not quite so dramatic, I'm hopeful this lands a little bit easier than in the not-so-distant past when the fare increases were larger."

The law states the MBTA cannot raise rates by more than 7 percent.

See the current and proposed rates for some of the T's most popular services below.

The proposal was set to be presented Monday to the Fiscal Management and Control Board, which still must approve the hike. There will be public comment until Feb. 28 and the board will be asked to vote on March 11.

The MBTA last summer increased weekday parking prices at many of its most popular stations. You can see that list here.

The MBTA has been a punching bag for commuters who point to frequent delays and poor communication. Former MBTA General Manager Luis Ramirez lasted only 15 months on the job before being replaced by Poftak in December.

Photo by Jenna Fisher, Patch

Materials from the State House News Service was used in this report