Really interesting post, Arlington. While it may be true that the fare increase did not decrease ridership, I do think that MBTA must proceed cautiously with upcoming fare hikes. I think that these are likely given the broadening financial gap between money and obligations at the T. Rather than go through these ridiculous processes every five years or so, I would like to see them institute a (modest) annual increase pegged to something like the consumer price index and have an abbreviated process to justify it annually. The utilities and post office have a shorter process to raise rates. It should not take a year of public consternation for the T to increase fares by 25 cents. If done annually, it can be predictable and less painful for all.
I like it. My ideas for fares:
Automatic increases
Fares should increase like the IRS tax brackets. There's a dollar amount for each type of fare and pass that is pegged to the CPI, and that number goes up automatically each year. But that number is not what the public sees. The public only sees when that number passes a certain increment - I'd say 25 cents for single rides, and $5 for passes. That simplifies things and adds automaticity, and avoids nickels and dimes where possible. Probably simplifies cash handling too.
CharlieCards and Tickets
- CharlieCards should be available online again. I don't know why they got rid of that option (that's where I got mine, and it was so much easier that way). My guess is a deluge of demand.
- The T should charge for CharlieCards, nominal but enough to cover manufactuting and distribution. If you make them too easy and available, people will see them as disposable.
- Soak the cash payers. If you use a CharlieTicket or cash, you pay double the fare. Simple and effective, and lessens the backup when people pay in cash on buses and the Green Line.
Fare Gates
Replace all fare gates with (properly designed)
HEET gates
The Ride
Tighten up eligibility and require in-person interviews. The T provides Ride service outside its federally mandated area in many cases. Eliminate all non-mandated service.
The T needs to recognize it's a transportation agency, and as such its job is to, within the law, transport the greatest number of people possible as efficiently and safely as possible. If the legislature or the Feds mandate certain services, they have to do it. But if it's not mandated, eliminate it, period. Increase Ride fares to the maximum allowed by Federal law. If the legislature wants to chip in money to pay for non-ADA-mandated door-to-door individual service or subsidize it beyond what's required, fine, but it's not the T's job.