Facing a $159 million deficit, the MBTA has approved fare hikes across the board and service cuts across the Commonwealth. The immediate effect is that thousands of commuters will be inconvenienced. The long-term consequences could come in the form of a public health predicament. Fare hikes and service cuts will force many more people onto the road, according to a new health assessment. With this comes more traffic, more congestion and less physical activity. This means obesity rates, air pollution and automobile accidents will only go up. Experts from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council explain the problem on The Callie Crossley Show.
WGBH NEWS FOCUS: THE MBTA
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About WGBH News Focus: The MBTA
Love it, like it or lump it, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority touches nearly everyone's lives in eastern Mass. And it's in financial crisis, with newly announced fare hikes not enough to cover next year's projected $100 million budget deficit. WGBH News features special focus coverage of the tracks and troubles of our public transit system."If I Ran the T ..."
Everyone who's ever rode on the T has an opinion about what problem they'd change first. If you were in charge, where would you start? Let us know.
The Fare and Service Plan
On July 1, the T will introduce fare increases and service cuts to cover a $159 million budget gap for the next fiscal year. Read the plan on mbta.com.
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