MBTA considering fare hikes to close budget gap

BOSTON (WHDH) -- The MBTA is considering another round of fare hikes to close a $130 million budget deficit.

The MBTA is facing substantial deficit numbers and is considering a number of options including fare hikes and service cuts.

The most drastic proposal up for discussion would be to increase bus fares from $1.50 to $2 for Charlie card holders, and increase subway fares from $2 to $2.60.

MBTA riders are not embracing the new fare hike proposals.

“I need the ‘T’ so I don’t know. What are you going to do? I mean, it’s still cheaper than paying three bucks for gas,” one rider said.

“I guess what disappoints me is there’s no evidence that they explore alternatives. Like I heard once upon a time that they should be refinancing their debt structure and that there’s been no effort to do that,” another rider said.

The MBTA says it’s looking at a six to eight month time period before the proposals could be implemented.