Patch Facts

5 Things You Need to Know Today: June 7

Beginning on July 1, commuter rail travelers will pay more to hop aboard in Westborough.

  Each morning, Westborough Patch presents “5 Things You Need to Know,” a collection of announcements, events, reminders and odd little ditties to help you organize your day. What will you be doing today?   1. New fares for the MBTA go into effect on July 1. Click here to see the new rates. 2. The Westborough Food Pantry welcomes donations. Food, paper or personal care products may be donated on Thursdays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and again at 7  to 8 p.m. The pantry is located in the rear of the Forbes Community Building, 9 East Main Street. 3. The Municipal Building Committee will hold a public meeting at 6 p.m. in room 23 of the Forbes Municipal Building. This meeting is free and open to the public. 4. The Westborough Senior Center Lunch …

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MBTA Holds Public Hearing Tonight on Fare Increases

Angry crowd at Monday night hearing in Boston suggests an increase in the gas tax, calls the MBTA plans "two rotten proposals."

  The MBTA is holding several public hearings concerning the proposed increase in fares and cuts in service, the closest to Westborough taking place in Framingham today from 6 to 8 p.m. Attendance is expected to be strong, especially following an overflow crowd last night at the Boston Public Library. The concensus at Monday night’s Boston meeting is that the proposed MBTA fare hikes fall disproportionally on the elderly, disabled, student and low income population. Following an Occupy Boston rally at Copley Square, hundreds of people — many of them college students —filled the 342-seat auditorium and 110-seat overflow room by 6:05 p.m. "Some people got here at 4:30," a library worker said. Officials began turning away at least 100 people …

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MBTA May Raise Fares, Cut Weekend Service [Poll]

Both scenarios propose rate hikes on the commuter rail - between 27 and 52.9% - and call for weekday commuter rail service to end at 10 p.m.

  As the MBTA struggles with a growing budget gap, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation Tuesday released two MBTA service proposals that would not only raise rates, but also include some service reductions or eliminations. According to information released on a Mass.gov blog, one scenario proposes an overall fare increase of 43 percent, while the other scenario suggests a 35 percent fare increase; but the cost of riding commuter rail service could increase between 27 to 52.9% based on which zone. The proposals look to close a projected $161 million budget gap for fiscal year 2013, the statement said. "While the MBTA continues to identify and adopt strict measures to close the budget gap, less costly ways of doing business and …

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Carol Waite

8:32 am on Sunday, January 8, 2012

If you raise fairs to much you will not increase revenue, because it will become more economical to drive. If I want to go into Boston on a weekend with my family it is cheaper to drive and park then take the train. If you want people to use public transportation to help the environment, reduce traffic etc. there should be a better way to close the budget gap then raise fairs.   more ›