BOSTON (AP) - Bus and subway fares would rise an average 23 percent and there would be some reductions in service as part of final recommendations outlined Wednesday by MBTA officials to close a deficit in the debt-ridden Boston-area transit system. The changes called for under the plan would be less drastic than earlier scenarios that projected fare hikes of up to 43 percent and more extensive service cuts...Under the plan, bus fares for passengers using Charlie Cards would rise from the current $1.25 to $1.50, and subway fares would jump from $1.70 to $2 dollars.
PHEWWW...Great job guys, good thing we went through MONTHS of public meetings and demonstrations to decide on a miniscule 23% fare increase so that the service you all depend on so much could remain solvent. I'm sure everyone feels that was worth their time...It's .30 cents a ride! I literally just went over to my coat pocket to see if I had 30 cents floating around...Yup.
I'm just glad no one got really crazy, like adults dressing up in made up superhero costumes they may or may not have crafted together during one zany afternoon at Michaels Arts and Crafts...Oh wait...
Yea, that'll get the job done, if there's one thing everyone knows the government responds to its people with well informed opinions dressed in children's costumes...
By far my favorite part of this entire charade came a couple of weeks ago when, after all the scheduled town meetings had concluded, the President (or GM, whatever his title is) of the MBTA came out and said basically, "Hey, we appreciate your opinions, but cuts and fare hikes are going to happen, they're necessary."
HA. That was fantastic, because it was a reality check for some of these people. Guys, the MBTA it needs more money. Typically, business in high demand earn more money by RAISING PRICES. It's economics. No amount of middle aged schmo's wearing spandex is going to change that. This was a poorly managed organization for well over a decade, they were saddled with additional debt from the most bloated public works project of all time, and now they need to figure out a way to pay it back. Yes some of it should come from a larger portion of tax funds being diverted to the MBTA, but a good portion should be on the consumers, its riders. Its only fair.
