This January the MBTA raised fares throughout the system in an effort to stay afloat as it struggles with $5.2 billion in debt - the most debt of any transit agency in the country. Since the State pushed its Big Dig debt onto the T in 2000, the T has hiked fares three times, in effect making riders bear the financial burden while state and municipal funding did not increase.

"We're paying for the State's mistakes," said T Riders Union (TRU) Organizer Lee Matsueda. "What's even more troubling is that almost one-third of the T's budget goes towards paying off these debts."

Every time fares are raised, ridership drops, bringing revenues down and leaving the door open for additional fare increases. As part of TRU's campaign to stop this unsustainable cycle, Senator Barrios and Representatives Wolf and Sciortino working with TRU and our partners in the On the Move coalition, filed an MBTA debt relief bill on January 10 in the state legislature. The bill aims to put $2.9 billion of the T's debt back on the State - the exact amount given to the T in 2000. If passed, the measure could free up funds for service improvements and prevent future fare hikes.

One challenge will be convincing the entire state legislature to vote favorably on a bill that only affects the Boston metropolitan area. Postcard petitions urging legislators to support the bill are
being collected by TRU. If you would like to sign a postcard or would like more information, please contact Lee Matsueda at 617.442.3343 x229 or via email by clicking on his name, above.