Warnings, Fines Coming Soon for MBTA Fare Evaders
Scofflaws take notice: The MBTA announced Thursday it will launch a renewed effort to collect subway fares with written warnings and fines of up to $150 early next month.
Boston’s Mayor Not Giving Up on Fare-Free Buses
A trio of MBTA bus routes in Boston will continue to operate without charging fares for another two years thanks to an investment of more than $8 million from the city, Mayor Michelle Wu announced Tuesday.
MBTA, in Search of Ridership, Preps Plan to Expand Low-Cost Fares
The MBTA Board in January plans to start formally considering potential fare changes, including low-cost fares that could benefit tens of thousands of riders.
Lessons from the Sumner Tunnel Closure Should Shape the Future of Commuting
Data shows Boston commuters ditched the drive for mass transit this summer. Massachusetts can learn from the experience and try to make those choices permanent.
Markey, Pressley Offer Fare-Free Transit Bill in D.C.
Their bill was previously unsuccessful in Congress, and efforts at the state level to secure funding for fare-free transit have gained little traction in the state legislature.
MBTA Boss: Low-Income Fares Would Need More Funding
A growing chorus of officials and activists have been pushing for the MBTA to roll out a reduced-price option for low-income riders, but launching that kind of a program might rely on an injection of additional funding, the agency’s chief said Friday.
T’s Fare-Free Bus Pilot Boosts Ridership, Not Savings
A pilot program to run the Route 28 bus in Boston free of fares boosted ridership by more than 20 percent, while only about a third of commuters who participated saved money because of costs they faced elsewhere on the MBTA, officials said Thursday.
Amid Free T Talk, Speaker’s Eye on MBTA Maintenance
Boston Mayor-elect Michelle Wu’s push for a fare-free T has generated a lot of buzz on Beacon Hill, and now House Speaker Ronald Mariano wants his concerns about MBTA maintenance to catch her attention.
Business, MBTA Can Deliver Transportation Options that Appeal to Workers
There are real risks that the future of this region could be dominated once again by roadway traffic congestion if we fail to design policies and transportation goals that appeal to both workers and employers.
Boston, MBTA Announce Free Bus Fare Pilot Program
Riders who board the MBTA’s Route 28 buses in Boston later this year won’t have to pay a fare under a three-month pilot program announced Monday.
Boston Mayoral Candidates Unite on Lower T Fares
Newly touting support from every Boston mayoral candidate, activists pushing for reduced fare or free rides for low-income MBTA users are ramping up pressure on state lawmakers as the issue gains more prominence in Massachusetts.
Lynn Asks for More Frequent Commuter Rail Service at Subway Prices
The city delegation has long pushed for better connectivity between Boston and the North Shore, lamenting the congested highways and tunnels many residents endure to get to work.
Uber, Lyft Cost the MBTA At Least $23M Last Year
The MBTA went without $23 million last year in potential fare revenue from riders who decamped from the ailing public transit network for ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft, according to a new report that also put a big estimate on the net carbon footprint of the companies.
Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu Leads System-Wide Protest Against MBTA Fare Hikes
As the MBTA’s latest fare hike went into effect this morning, over 300 city councilors, state legislators activists and volunteers led by at-large Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu fanned out across the MBTA system to canvas riders, protest the fare increases and build support for efforts to fix the system.
Report: Worcester Transit Agency Considering Going Fare-Free in Bid to Boost Ridership
In response to a recent report by the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, the head of the Worcester Regional Transit Agency said the agency is looking at going fare-free as it considers new fare collection technology.
Fare Gates Planned at Three Commuter Rail Hubs
Aiming to recoup tens of millions of dollars in lost revenue from unpaid fares, the MBTA and commuter rail operator Keolis plan to install fare gates at three Boston hub stations by the end of the year, officials said Monday.
MBTA Control Board Votes to Hike Rail, Subway Fares
Travel on the MBTA’s subway and commuter rail network will cost more starting July 1 after the authority’s oversight board approved a fare-hike plan Monday, securing tens of millions of dollars more in revenue every year that leaders say is necessary to continue service improvements and close a budget gap.
Don’t Hike T Fares Without Ride-Hailing Fees
Gov. Charlie Baker’s plan to raise fares on T riders is unfair while drivers and Uber or Lyft users who benefit from the system’s existence aren’t charged a penny, but it also wastes an opportunity to fix congestion caused by ride-hailing apps.
Banker & Tradesman’s Editorial Cartoon: The View from the Red Line Cars
Attention passengers. Please be advised the MBTA is planning a 6.3 percent increase in the quality of its service.
