DO YOU RIDE THE BUS IN ARLINGTON?

MassDOT has released proposed fare increase and service reduction plans for the MBTA aimed at closing a projected $161 million budget gap for fiscal year 2013. Two scenarios are being presented. Scenario 1 involves fare increases averaging 43% with minor reductions in services. Scenario 2 involves fare increases averaging 35% with substantial reductions in services.

For Arlington, the bus service reductions in Scenario 1 would only eliminate weekend service on route 78. The service reductions in Scenario 2 would entirely eliminate bus routes 62, 67, 76, 78, 80 & 350 currently serving Arlington. The only buses remaining in Arlington in this scenario would be routes 77, 79, 84 and 87.

The MBTA will host public hearings in January, February and March. None will be held in Arlington. See below for details on meetings in Cambridge, Somerville and Boston. See the MBTA web site for a full list of meetings.

http://www.mbta.com/about_the_mbta/?id=23567

A final fare increase and service reduction recommendation will be made to the MBTA's Board of Directors this Spring and changes will be implemented on July 1, 2012. Please make your voice heard, in person or in writing, before then.

February 8, Wednesday, 4:30-6:30 PM  Boston (West End)
Shriners Hospital Auditorium
51 Blossom Street
Boston

February 13, Monday, 6:00-8:00 PM  Boston (South Station area)
Boston Public Library Boston Room
700 Boylston Street
Boston

February 28, Tuesday, 6:00-8:00 PM  Somerville
High School Auditorium
81 Highland Avenue
Somerville

February 29, Wednesday, 6:00-8:00 PM  Cambridge (Central Sq.)
Citywide Senior Center
806 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge

The MBTA will accept public comment through March 1, 2012 electronically at mbta.com, by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , via mail to MBTA, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, Ma  02116, Attention: Fare Proposal Committee, and by phone at 617-222-3200/ TTY (617) 222-5146. A complete list of the fare increases, service reductions and public hearings is available at www.mbta.com/jointhediscussion.

(Write-up by Rachael Stark, Founder and Chair of Walking In Arlington, a community based pedestrian advocacy group that has been working in Arlington for about 13 years.)