Watertown Faces Climate Change, a working group of WCPJE and a node of 350 Mass is planning to submit this petition at the upcoming meeting MBTA Better Bus Meeting. Please sign on here and come to the Better Bus Meeting Monday March 4 6-8 PM Community Room, Watertown Police Station 52 Main Street.
LINK TO PETITION
We oppose the proposal to raise MBTA fares.
The MBTA is proposing a 6.3% fare hike that would be implemented on July 1, 2019. While, the MBTA has not increased fares since 2016 (and is forbidden from increasing them by more than 7% or within 2 years of the last increase), this increase will amount to a 41% increase in MBTA fares since 2012.
We oppose the fare hike because the increased cost will: lead to decreased ridership (and subsequent increase car usage), more congestion, higher levels of GHG emissions, and decreased access to public transportation for low-income riders.
While we are in favor of increased funding for public transportation, this burden should not fall on the backs of riders. We advocate for other funding sources, like the Transportation Climate Initiative, smarter tolling and congestion pricing, and Rep. Benson’s Act to Promote Green Infrastructure and Reduce Carbon Emissions.