Current:Home > InvestLow-income subway, bus and commuter rail riders in Boston could be getting cheaper fares -WealthSphere Pro
Low-income subway, bus and commuter rail riders in Boston could be getting cheaper fares
View
Date:2025-04-17 14:00:50
BOSTON (AP) — Tens of thousands of lower income riders who rely on greater Boston’s public transit system could soon be getting a break on their fares under a plan approved by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s board of directors.
The vote was a big win for advocates who have long pushed for reduced fares. The proposal adopted Thursday would offer riders who are aged 26-64, non-disabled, and have lower incomes reduced fares of about 50% off on all MBTA modes, including subway and bus services.
The program also applies to the commuter rail. MBTA officials said they hope that will help make it more affordable to commute into Boston for individuals living in some of the state’s former industrial cities and towns.
Those who rely on the RIDE, the MBTA’s paratransit service, including seniors, will also benefit.
The fare changes are expected to go into effect this summer.
Those hoping to participate in the program will have to demonstrate their eligibility by showing they are already enrolled in other programs with a cutoff of 200% of the federal poverty level — about $30,000 annually or lower for an individual.
The MBTA estimates the cost of the changes to be up to $62 million including administrative costs, operating costs to meet demand, and fare revenue loss.
Based on earlier research, low income riders are expected to take 30% more trips with a reduced fare, significantly increasing mobility while saving on transportation costs, according to the MBTA.. More than 60,000 riders are expected to enroll in the program, which is expected to result in up to 8 million more trips per year.
The MBTA already has discounted fare programs for students and people aged 65 and older.
MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng said the transit agency is committed to making “meaningful improvements for riders, including making fares more affordable, which will improve quality of life, boost economic mobility, and encourage more riders to return to the system.”
Democratic Gov. Maura Healey supports the idea. Healey last year including a $5 million line item in her proposed state budget to help the MBTA begin laying the groundwork for a means-tested fare program.
During her 2022 campaign, Healey also pledged to pursue “low-income fares and unlimited bus transfers, as well as outlining a pathway to fare-free buses throughout the commonwealth.”
Former Gov. Charlie Baker had opposed similar efforts, citing concerns about pushing a reduced fare program at a time when the MBTA is facing a host of other challenges. He had also said he had concerns about how the system would make up for lost revenue.
Boston has been lagging behind other cities, including New York City, which offers lower income New Yorkers a 50% discount on subway and eligible bus fares, and San Francisco, which offers a 50% discount to those with an annual incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has pushed for free MBTA fares. Wu gave the green light to three free MBTA bus routes in Boston with the city picking up the tab.
The program, which was set to expire at the end of February has been extended through March, 2026, with the city relying on federal American Rescue Plan Act money to fund the rides.
The bus routes run along some of the highest ridership bus corridors in the City of Boston, with over half of riders classified as low income, according to Wu.
Advocates have pointed to a 2019 Massachusetts Institute of Technology study that found low-income riders who received a 50% discounted fare took more trips than lower-income riders paying a regular fare, including more trips related to health care and social services.
veryGood! (193)
Related
- McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol
- Wisconsin lawmakers to vote on constitutional amendment to limit diversity efforts
- Kelly Link's debut novel 'The Book of Love' is magical, confusing, heartfelt, strange
- ‘Lead or Lose!’ Young People Arrested at Biden’s Campaign Headquarters Call for Climate Action and a Ceasefire
- 'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
- First-ever February tornadoes in Wisconsin caused $2.4M in damages
- Panel investigating Maine’s deadliest shooting to hear from state police
- Army dietitian from Illinois dies in Kuwait following incident not related to combat, military says
- Federal Spending Freeze Could Have Widespread Impact on Environment, Emergency Management
- Chiefs announce extension for Steve Spagnuolo, coordinator of Super Bowl champs' stout defense
Ranking
- Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds
- Hilary Swank Reveals the Names of Her 10-Month-Old Twins
- Falling acorn spooks Florida deputy who fired into his own car, then resigned: See video
- Who should pay on the first date? Experts weigh in on the age-old question.
- At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
- Caitlin Clark is on the cusp of the NCAA women’s scoring record. She gets a chance to do it at home
- Uber, Lyft drivers are striking at 10 US airports on Valentine's Day. Here's why.
- Cyberattacks on hospitals are likely to increase, putting lives at risk, experts warn
Recommendation
Meta donates $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund
Biden touts hostage talks that could yield 6-week cease-fire between Israel and Hamas
New Mexico’s Democrat-led House rejects proposal for paid family and medical leave
Deshaun Watson might have to testify again in massage case
Could Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft reunite? Maybe in Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class
Bayer fights string of Roundup trial losses including $2.25B verdict in Philadelphia
Horoscopes Today, February 14, 2024
Virtual valentine: People are turning to AI in search of emotional connections