Transit cuts would hurt WMass the most, advocates say

BOSTON (WWLP) - A coalition of transit advocates are rallying on Beacon Hill, protesting against fare hikes and services cuts that are being proposed or enforced in transit systems across the state.

Gathering at the State House, advocates told 22News that jacking-up fares and reducing service disproportionately impacts the elderly, disabled, young, and bus riders in western Massachusetts.

Advocates say an adult bus rider taking a trip and transfer will see a fare increase of 20% in Boston versus 67% in Springfield. They say disabled clients relying on para-transit will see an increase of at least 200%.

PVTA rider Michael Hollis of Springfield said that this will make a bad situation even worse. ”The increases of the money that you're trying to have us pay; we can't afford the prices now. So when you increase them, there's no way we can afford them now,” Hollis said.

Springfield bus driver Michael Haughton told 22News that cutting mass transit would cut off one of the only ways people can get access to jobs.

“When I drive my bus, I can hear the passengers in the back. I know what they want and what they're looking for. They want work. They want to get to work and there's no way for them to get to work without transit,” he said.

Springfield advocates are trying to put pressure on the PVTA, which is proposing to increase adult fares by 25 cents and transfers by 75 cents.

A vote on the matter will take place in June, and changes could go into effect July 1.