MBTA Hearing on Fare Hikes & Service Cuts Scheduled for February 28th

The MBTA recently announced some fare hikes and service cuts in an attempt to gain control of their growing budget deficit that is totaling over $100 million. The MBTA has offered two "scenarios" with the second "scenario" including significant cuts to Somerville. You are needed at a February 28th meeting to voice your concerns!


One major cut that is featured in both "scenarios" is to cut Commuter Rail service after 10pm and on the weekends. With the delay of the Green Line, Congressman Mike Capuano encouraged the city of Somerville to take extra Commuter Rail stops as a temporary fix while the State figures out how it's going to fund the Green Line-which it is what it is legally obligated to deliver. With announced cuts to this rail, however, it does not seem to be the best option for Somerville and, specifically, the economic improvement to squares that are being forced to depend upon the MBTA.

Tuesday, Feb 28, 6-8 pm

Somerville High School Auditorium

81 Highland Ave (map)

The cuts in "Scenario 2" to Somerville bus lines include:
Bus 80: Serves Tufts University, Ball Square, Winter Hill, and McGrath Highway. Under the MBTA's "scenario 2," this route would be eliminated.


Bus 85: Serves Spring Hill and Union Square in Somerville on its way to Kendall/MIT Station. Under the MBTA's "scenario 2," this route would be eliminated on weekdays.


Bus 90: Serves Davis Square, Highland Avenue and East Somerville on its way to Sullivan Station and Wellington Station. Under "scenario 2," this route would be completely eliminated.


Bus 92: Serves the Assembly Square Mall area and heads into downtown Boston. Under "scenario 2," service would be eliminated on weekdays and Saturday.


Bus 95: Serves the Ten Hills neighborhood along Mystic Avenue and connects Medford to Sullivan Station. Under the proposal, this route would be eliminated.


Bus 96: Serves Tufts University, College Avenue and Davis Square on its way to Harvard Square. Under the proposal, this route would be eliminated.


Under the MBTA's "scenario 1," Somerville would not face reductions to bus service.


Fares under the MBTA's "scenario 1" would be as follows:
Bus: $2.25 with Charlie Ticket, $1.75 with Charlie Card
Subway: $3 with Charlie Ticket, $2.40 with Charlie Card
Bus pass: $55
Link Pass: $80


Fares under the MBTA's "scenario 2" would be as follows:
Bus: $2 with Charlie Ticket, $1.50 with Charlie Card
Subway: $3 with Charlie Ticket, $2.25 with Charlie Card
Bus pass: $48
Link Pass: $78

Scenario 1: Senior bus rate would be $1.10 from $0.40 and subway would be $1.50 from $0.60. Monthly pass would be $40 from $20.

Scenario 2: Senior bus rate would be $0.75 from $0.40 and subway would be $1.10 from $0.60. Monthly pass would be $39 from $20.

Scenario 1: Students bus rate would be $1.10 from $0.60 and subway would be $1.50 from $0.85. Monthly pass would be $40 from $20.

Scenario 2: Students bus rate would be $0.75 from $0.60 and subway would be $1.10 from $0.85. Monthly pass would be $39 from $20.