MBTA Fare Increases: a Rally

The MBTA is holding a public hearing regarding the proposed fare hike at the Boston Public Library's main branch in Back Bay this afternoon. Some local bloggers and T-riders have called for a rally to precede the meeting held in Copley Square. Unfortunately the meeting is taking place before the average work day is finished. Getting to the rally and/or the meeting may prove difficult for many, especially if you're taking the T. The series of public meetings (upcoming in Mattapan, Arlington, Attleboro, and Lynn) will take impact statements from participants and present a transcript to top MBTA officials – do all the yelling won't do much unless the language is particularly colorful to express displeasure with the increase (well, maybe Deval will hear it). After careful examination of the issue there are a few things that have merits. If the system is truly seen as a whole, perhaps the busses currently underused, late, and unreliable will become more frequent and reliable with increased usage. Maybe. For now the written statement of opinion is a good option, especially if you can't make the rally and meeting today. Well, that and watching this tangentially related video of the dancing MBTA Police Pig.