The MBTA plan for fare increases and service cuts is slated to go into effect July 1. The MBTA is attempting to fill a $159 million budget gap.
But if state legislators don’t act quickly, the service cuts might be deeper than expected.
The current plan is for rates to increase 23 percent and several services to be cut, including ending the Route 48 “JP Loop” bus. The MBTA will stop Green Line service at Brigham Circle during weekends, instead of running the trolley to JP’s Heath Street stop. The Route 37 and 38 buses will stop running on Sundays, while the Needham commuter rail, which stops at Forest Hills Station, will not run on Saturdays.
Using a CharlieCard, fares will increase from $1.25 to $1.50 for buses and from $1.70 to $2 for the subway. Purchasing a CharlieTicket, fares will increase from $1.50 to $2 for the buses and from $2 to $2.50 for the subway.
But if state legislators do not approve a $49 million emergency funding bill for the MBTA by July 1, the agency said more cuts would be needed.
“The MBTA has been very clear that without additional revenue, service cuts will be the only means available for balancing the [fiscal year 2013] budget (as required by statute),” MBTA spokesperson Joe Pesaturo wrote in an email.
The state House and Senate are working on a final version of the bill.