Brandeis students are among millions of people that will bear increased costs for transportation if the proposed fare hike by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), which operates the bus, commuter rail and subway systems in the Boston area, passes in the Massachusetts legislature.According to a statement made by MBTA General Manager Michael Mulhern on the MBTA Web site, the fare proposed would entail a rate increase of 25 cents for most rides on the subway (T) and buses, as well as a similarly proportioned increase in fares for the commuter rail. These increases would apply in all locations under the MBTA, including the nearby Brandeis/Roberts commuter rail stop. The decision will be made after a series of public hearings in accordance with Massachusetts statute held throughout the Boston area, the last of which was held last Thursday in Newton and attended by Brandeis students in association with Students for Environmental Action (SEA).

In the hearing in Newton, an MBTA representative presented the situation and the MBTA's arguments. Those who attended had the opportunity to respond and offer suggestions, ideas and complaints. The Newton hearing was the final hearing, and comments and suggestions are being accepted by the MBTA through today.

SEA member Mara Cohen '05 attended the hearing on Thursday. She said that the MBTA representative told those attending, numbering about 25 to 30 people, that an increased fare would be necessary "to retain the current level of service...or else (they would) have to cut services currently available."

Budgetary problems have been cited by the MBTA as the key justification for the proposal. Mulhern said in his message, "The additional revenue is needed to help the MBTA close a widening budget gap, and preserve the existing levels of service across all modes. The cash is also necessary to keep up with regular maintenance and to continue ongoing infrastructure improvements."

Specifically, a Boston Globe article entitled "Study for T sees impact of fare hike as minor" published on August 30 of this year reported a budgetary gap of $25 million to the MBTA. This financial strain has been accompanied and intensified by a decline in the MBTA's ridership. Under legislation passed by Governor Mitt Romney last month, the MBTA may propose such fare increases even when ridership levels have declined by more than four percent each year. Such a fare increase would have been prohibited under these conditions until the new legislation was passed, according to the Globe.

According to the MBTA Web site, a fare increase would likely result in a reduction in the daily number of riders, more than 1.1 million passengers on average. However, the increase in revenue derived from the higher fare has been estimated as more significant, considering the percentage revenue is expected to grow. Mulhern said in his online statement that the fare increase proposal in a "measure of last resort." The fare proposal presentation, posted on the Web site, adds that the budget gap would reach $302 million over the five years without an increase in fares, even accounting for the other measures being taken to raise revenue and decrease costs. These actions include layoffs, having rebid contracts, increased parking fees, real estate activities, and advertising additions. The MBTA additionally argues that unless the fare increase is approved, significant cutbacks will occur, including reductions in night and weekend service.

Students from SEA who attended the Thursday hearing contributed comments concerning the environmental impact of the proposal in terms of pollution caused by the increase in driving that would accompany a decline in public transportation ridership. Cohen added that the majority of people at the meeting were against the proposal.

Cohen said, "(SEA is) against the increase and asking that they assess the environmental effects of what the increase would do."

However necessary the MBTA contends the fare increase is, many other Boston residents and travelers and Brandeis and other university students, do not support the MBTA's proposal and feel angry or inconvenienced by the idea of a higher fare.

Ben Reed '06 said that a fare increase "means that I'm not going to go into Boston as much using the T anymore."

The quarter addition to the fare would make new T rates $1.25, while bus rates would rise to $1. Of most concern to Brandeis students is the higher fare for riding the T, not only because of the monetary loss incurred but also because of the proposal's implied inconvenience in finding the extra change rather than simply using a dollar bill.

"It's not convenient to use a dollar bill anymore," Ross Reitman '06 said. "That's what bothers me the most."

Nevertheless, students still foresee the need to rely on the transportation provided by the MBTA regardless of any changes it may induce in their pocketbooks. Heather Daugherty '06 said, "I'm still going to ride the T because I still need to get from point A to point B. Overall, 25 cents is not going to affect how often I use the T. It's just an inconvenience."

Daugherty added that using the T will remain significantly cheaper than taking a taxi or using other transportation modes.

Should the fare increase pass, the new fares would go into effect starting in January of 2004.