MBTA Fare Hikes and Commuter Rail Changes Now in Effect

Riding the T went up in price this weekend — and some routes will have decreased service.

  On Sunday the MBTA's fare increases started. They're being imposed — along with service cuts — to close the transit agency's $160 million budget gap. Those service cuts also begin Sunday. Commuter rail service on Saturday on the Needham line has been eliminated. Other changes include an increase in the surcharge for getting your Commuter Rail ticket on the train (if the station where you board has ticket machines). THE RIDE will add a more expensive $5 zone starting Oct. 1. For a complete list of changes taking place on the MBTA system that began Sunday, visit this T link or check out the PDFs attached to this post. Here's a look at the new costs:

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New MBTA Plan Eliminates Weekend Commuter Rail Service for West Roxbury

The Sunday 37 and 38 MBTA bus routes through West Roxbury would be eliminated in latest plan.

  The Massachusetts Department of Transportation announced an updated budget plan today that would eliminate weekend commuter rail service of the Needham line, which goes through West Roxbury. The proposed plan also eliminates MBTA bus routes 37 and 38 on Sundays, which go through West Roxbury, and would greatly impact people in West Roxbury. MBTA fares will rise 23 percent and four bus routes would be cut to close a $185 million gap in the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s budget for fiscal year 2013 Fourteen other bus routes would be modified. Details of the plan are scheduled to be unveiled during a press conference today. If approved, the changes would begin on July 1. Bus fares would rise to $1.50 from $1.25 and a subway …

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State Rep. Coppinger: 'I Am Dismayed by MBTA Cuts'

State Representative Coppinger has reached out to MBTA to express his disappointment with cuts, and to work with the MBTA on commuting options.

  On January 3, 2012, the MBTA announced two different proposals to raise fares and cut service to combat a $161 million budget gap. Both proposals that the MBTA outlined would severely impact MBTA service around the state, but Brookline and particularly South Brookline, would be hit especially hard. While I understand that fares may need to be raised and that some service cuts may be necessary, the MBTA should reconsider its plans to shutter the 51 and 60 buses. As the State Representative for the 10th Suffolk District which includes Roslindale, West Roxbury, and Precincts 14, 15 and 16 in Brookline, I have been dismayed by the recommended cuts that would affect these communities. Under Scenario 2, as proposed by the MBTA, five buses that…

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Public Meetings about MBTA Cuts Begin

Cuts proposed include all ferry service, the Green E line no longer running on weekends, as well as major cuts to bus and commuter rail service.