Jun 22, 2020
“For too long, Boston’s black and brown neighborhoods have not had quality access to much-needed transit options,” said Staci Rubin, Senior Attorney at CLF. “This pilot is a great start, but these communities deserve the same level of transit as affluent areas like Back Bay or Beacon Hill. We’ll continue to advocate for the Fairmount Line to run as frequently as the T’s subway lines and to be electrified to improve air quality and fight the climate crisis.”
Nov 04, 2019
“Finally, this is the bold action we’ve been waiting for from the MBTA,” said Staci Rubin, Senior Attorney at CLF. “The region clearly needs people to ditch their cars and get onto trains before our highways turn into parking lots. Electrifying the commuter rail, especially in communities serving environmental justice populations, will go a long way in making that a reality. Fares must also be affordable for all so that riding the rails is a cheaper alternative to getting in the car.”
Oct 07, 2019
“Passenger growth on the Fairmount Line is surging, and it’s time the MBTA provides more frequent service,” said Staci Rubin, Senior Attorney at CLF. “With more service, riders also deserve fair fares. These neighborhoods have been overlooked for too long, and the Fairmount line must become true rapid transit with affordable fares at all stations and service frequency to match.”
Feb 21, 2018
The MBTA is crying wolf… again, predicting a deficit of $111 million in its next fiscal budget. The potential solution? Raise fares on riders, again. Governor Baker seems to agree, stating on Valentine’s Day that the MBTA should be discussing a fare increase. I’m not sure that was the best way to spread the love, especially to… Continue reading MBTA Raises the Specter of Fare Hikes (Again)
Feb 10, 2017
The Transportation for Massachusetts coalition – of which CLF is a member – today released the latest in a series of reports evaluating the implementation of the Commonwealth’s landmark Transportation Finance Act of 2013. The Keeping on Track reports are aimed at ensuring the new law’s success at addressing the most pressing needs of the… Continue reading Latest Report on Massachusetts Transportation Financing Finds Progress, But Much More to Do
Jul 27, 2016
… Advocates for more public transportation cheered the governor’s approval of the Legislature’s language. “There’s been a lot of confusion over many years about how fares can go up, and this will give us clarity,” said Rafael Mares, a vice president of the Conservation Law Foundation. “This is such an important change that it would… Continue reading Cap on T Fare Hikes is Lowered
Jul 13, 2016
… But Rafael Mares, a senior vice president of the Conservation Law Foundation, said the governor’s change would take away the predictability that legislators want for riders. Under the Legislature’s language, riders would know to expect a hike no higher than 7 percent every two years. With the governor’s language, some commuters could see an… Continue reading Governor, Lawmakers In Dispute Over T Fare Increases
Jun 30, 2016
… “If you increase the fares without improving the service, you’ll get fewer people using it,” said Rafael Mares, a senior vice president at the Conservation Law Foundation. Read more here…
Jun 29, 2016
… Rafael Mares, a transit advocate and vice president for the Conservation Law Foundation who urged the T to limit the increases to 5 percent, celebrated the agreement as “a significant victory.” “We will not give up on the ultimate goal of 5 percent, which more closely tracks inflation, but this is a huge improvement,”… Continue reading Future MBTA Fare Hikes Would be Limited to 7 Percent Under Proposed State Budget