MBTA Could Raise Fares, Defer Maintenance

MBTA riders could see fares go up in the not-so-distant future if legislators don’t accept Gov. Deval Patrick’s ambitious funding plan.

T General Manager Beverley Scott said Tuesday the T will likely hold off on spending $45 million for preventative maintenance and hike fairs to close a projected budget gap of $117 million, factoring in increased ridership and advertising this year, the Boston Globe reported Wednesday.

Director of Strategic Initiatives for the MBTA Charles Planck said at a March 5 MBTA finance committee meeting that fare increases could go up 33 percent under the proposal, which means subway fares would move up from $2 to $2.60.

Massachusetts Department of Transportation Secretary and CEO Richard Davey testified before the Joint Committee on Transportation March 12 to formally present Patrick’s 21st Century Transportation Plan which calls for a $13 billion investment in transportation over the next decade.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation Board of Directors will review the T's final budget proposal March 28, the Globe reports. The deadline for approval is April 10.