Higher Fares = Fewer Riders
By Galen Moore
BostonNow: February 11, 2008

The MBTA may have raised $70 million by increasing fares last year, but not without a cost: ridership figures obtained by BostonNOW show the T lost 15 million riders in 2007, after the fare increase.

The T counted 366.7 million riders in 2007 - a 4.1 percent drop from the previous year's total of 382.4 million.

"Every transit agency projects a drop in ridership immediately following a fare increase," MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo said.

The T had predicted a 5 percent drop, but expects to recover that number in 2008, Pesaturo said. In an interview with BostonNOW last month, General Manager Daniel A. Grabauskas predicted improved service, but said the T would not raise fares again this year.

However, the economy may be a factor, Pesaturo acknowledged. "This may change the speed of a rebound," he said.

Numbers
Ridership changes, 2006-2007.
Commuter Rail: +1.7%
Bus: -4.3%
Subway: -6.3%
Trolley (Green Line): -2.7%
Overall: -4.1%

(Source: MBTA)

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