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Service cuts vs. fare hikes a false choice

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR | letters | a fare solution?

THIS STORY APPEARED IN

February 22, 2012

IN THE MBTA’s finance crisis, the public is being asked to choose between drastic service reductions or sharply increased fares (“Top official favors fare hike over service cut; T plans reexamined amid public outcry,’’ Page A1, Feb. 19). Both are unacceptable, and the choice is a false one.

Anyone who rides the T knows that service is inadequate already. Yet, a sharp increase in fares will be a hardship for many riders and will deter others from using the T — increasing traffic, pollution, and road maintenance costs.

The state Legislature should take a hard look at how the T has been set up for failure, saddled with Big Dig debt and insufficient public funding. No doubt the T could be more efficient, and should be. But a variety of sustainable financing mechanisms used by other transit systems could help — for example, real estate transfer taxes, metro-area payroll taxes, or greater state or national support.

Boston cannot be a world-class city with a third-rate and deteriorating public transportation system. We need greater public investment in this public good to achieve that distinction.

Elizabeth L. Merrick