New Proposal Would Avoid Service Cuts on MBTA

The MBTA Advisory Board, which provides public oversight of the MBTA, has presented a new plan—some might call it a third option—for dealing with the MBTA's $161 million budget shortfall in fiscal year 2013.

The plan comes amid public outcry over two proposals put forth by the MBTA that would substantially raise fares and cut service on Boston's public transportation network. In recent weeks, thousands of angry T riders have attended public hearings around the Boston area to protest those proposals.

The closest hearing to Melrose will be held tonight at 6 p.m. in the Malden City Council Chambers, 200 Pleasant St.

MBTA Advisory Board plan

Under the advisory board's plan, there would be no service cuts, and the fare increase would be less than with the MBTA's two current proposals.

Here are some highlights of the plan:

• 25 percent fare increase (the other proposals call for either a 35-percent and 43-percent increase)
• Shift the cost of security to the State Department of Public Safety, meaning state police would handle security on the MBTA.
• Shift the cost of running ferry service to MassPort
• Sell ferry and waterfront assets to MassPort
• No MBTA pay raises for fiscal year 2013

Here are some of the more creative ideas

• $10 charge per year on college students in the area
• $0.50 surcharge on tickets for big events, like sporting events, concerts and theater performances
• Reinstate alcohol advertising
• Charge institutions that have station named after them (in other words, charge Harvard Univerasity to have a station named "Harvard" and the Museum of Science for having a station named "Museum of Science." The proposal lists 18 institutions that have stations named after them and suggests it would raise $2 million from this initiative)

The MBTA Advisory Board estimates that, taken together, it's proposal would find $170.6 million in savings and revenue in fiscal year 2013.

The Board also emphasized it's proposal was a short-term solution, meant to buy time while state officials craft long-term solutions to the MBTA's financial woes.