MBTA softens plan for commuter rail surcharges

BOSTON (AP) - The MBTA has scrapped a plan to slap a $3 surcharge on all commuter rail riders who buy tickets after boarding trains.

Instead, the surcharge will only be imposed on passengers who board at stations where tickets can be conveniently purchased.

Critics of the original policy pointed out that many commuter rail stations lack ticket windows or vending machines.

MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo tells The Boston Globe the surcharge is intended to reduce on-board fare collections and cash handling costs by encouraging more riders to buy tickets in advance.