Are the Fares Fair? T Fares vs. Other Cities
A look at how the proposed MBTA fare increases compare to other cities.
Earlier this week, the MBTA released two proposals that would raise fares on the MBTA by either 35 percent or 43 percent, in addition to some service eliminations.
But how does that stack up to New York, Philadelphia or Atlanta?
According to a document put together by the MBTA, Boston's proposed fare increases will push the cost of a single subway ride to be more in line with most major cities in the U.S.
Some Boston fares, including a proposed $2.40 for a single subway ride on a Charlie Card, will be higher than the average. The average bus fare, though, will fall below most of what is charged around the country.
To view the full chart comparing the Boston fares to other cities, click the .pdf to the right.
Other comparisons:
- Unlike some major cities, such as Washington D.C., Boston does not charge for the distance traveled on the subway. However, that type of fare structure is applied on the Commuter Rail.
- Washington also adds on to the fare price if the trip is made during rush hour, where Boston does not. For example, the minimum fare during off-peak hours is $1.60, but increase to $1.95 if a trip is made in the early morning or evening hours. An additional 20 cents is added between the hours of 7:30 a.m. - 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.
- New York City offers a 7 percent bonus incentive for those who add $10 or more on to their Metro Card (similar to a Charlie Card). For example, adding $20 on to the card actually gives you $21.40.
- Boston's proposed monthly pass price ($80) is in line with cities like Philadelphia ($83) and Chicago ($86), but below that of New York ($104).
- Boston's proposed one-day pass ($12) is higher than most cities on the list including Chicago ($5.75), Los Angeles ($5) and Washington D.C. ($9).
- Boston's proposed seven-day pass price ($20) is below that of other cities including New York ($29), Washington D.C. ($32.35-$47) and Chicago ($23).
Information for this article was provided by the New York MTA website, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, the Washington D.C. Metro website, the Los Angeles Metro website and the Chicago Transit Authority.
[Editor's note — This post appears on the following Patch sites: Newton, Brookline, Waltham, Jamaica Plain and Watertown.]
Chris
10:31 am on Friday, January 6, 2012
People its $60 bucks a month to take any subway and bus. Really try using your car every day. I bet the cost of fuel, oil changes, wear, and headaches for traffic is much worst. The issue I have is the customer service of the MBTA. Many times the conductor or driver doesnt announce stops nor does the ticker work. How would a blind or deaf person know what stop is what. Plus have your staff take pills because most of them are beast when you ask a simple question. If they don't like their jobs I am sure someone else will.
Chris Child
11:46 am on Friday, January 6, 2012
I think tapping to leave the subway (like in D.C. and London) would help stop fare evasion. I wish they would bring back some form of limited night owl service.
Ryan Grannan-Doll
12:08 pm on Friday, January 6, 2012
I would like night owl service too, but the ridership likely does not justify the cost.
Chris
12:27 pm on Friday, January 6, 2012
Having a night owl service would impact police, lawyers, taxis and the court system. How can you have a 1:30-2am last call but no way for people to get home. I think people are only drinking coffee until 2am right.
WallSmart
1:08 pm on Friday, January 6, 2012
If you can't get drunk by midnight you're not a serious drinker.
Chris Child
12:37 pm on Friday, January 6, 2012
I used to take the 66 night owl from Roxbury Crossing to Allston at 2:30am. There were very few riders on the bus and it was extra fare and it was rarely on time. It's not only important to people leaving bars but also people who are leaving work and/or going to work during those hours. No doubt the ridership does not justify the cost by strictly looking at cost of tickets versus driver's compensation, but I still think it's important.
SayWhat
9:10 pm on Friday, January 6, 2012
This story is not a very good analysis. What about the comparative cost of parking at transit stations? The parking lot fees are expensive. The T has already raised fares and parking lot rates to the point that the combined cost is not much less than driving into Boston.
Melanie Graham
9:38 pm on Friday, January 6, 2012
Hi SayWhat --
Thanks for your comments and I'm sorry you don't think this analysis is helpful. We considered looking at the parking prices, but for this specific story we decided to just compare the fares for the subways and buses.
Comparing parking in Boston to rates in NYC or Chicago would be an extensive set of rates to analyze. It's definitely something we'll consider including in a future article once we have a bit more time to lay out the numbers. We also should look at the varied rates for Commuter Rail-type transit, which is another whole set of numbers to digest as well.
WallSmart
8:53 am on Saturday, January 7, 2012
Point well taken Melanie. An extensive comparative analysis would also include a comparison of the cost of parking a vehicle in the various business districts, the cost of vehicle fuel, taxes, insurance, tolls, etc. The information you provided should serve to enlighten those with an open mind. No data will satisfy those with an agenda.
SayWhat
10:14 am on Saturday, January 7, 2012
While I hear the argument the analysis could go on ad nauseum, the point of this article was to compare the relative costs of commuting on the T versus other major transit systems in the country. That would include all costs with taking the train -- fares AND parking. This article only provides half the picture.
"The information you provided should serve to enlighten those with an open mind. No data will satisfy those with an agenda." That was uncalled for. I'm asking the complete picture be presented on the T cost comparison.
WallSmart
12:59 pm on Saturday, January 7, 2012
Life is about choices. Here the choice is public or private transportation. If the cost of parking at an MBTA lot is factored in then the ancillary costs associated with private transport must be added in as stated previously.
Having commuted on the systems in metro DC, Philly, London and Boston I feel that the bottom line is that public transportation in metro Boston is a relative bargain.
Very few MBTA riders in the cities where this article appeared (Newton, Brookline, Waltham, Jamaica Plain and Watertown) use the MBTA lots. Hence the cost of parking in the MBTA lots is not a factor worth pursuing. If you feel differently research the matter yourself and post your data here.
Locally Involved
2:02 pm on Sunday, January 8, 2012
As a former Bostonian now living in the DC metro area (just 4 miles from Georgetown), I can say first hand that the T is more affordable. Just 4 miles from town an it takes me an hour to get to downtown (The Mall area where I work) and then pay the company discounted rate of $16 to park in a garage. Whereas the Metro is $13.50 (includes $4.50 to park each day). That's a bit over $260 a month Metro costs. Now, $125 is tax exempt (giving me a tax break of roughly $36 a mo., or roughly $400 a year). Now that would be up to $230 tax exempt, but the shenanigans at the end of the year re: the payroll tax break extension, the pols FORGOT to extend that, too. Anyway, you guys do have it good price wise. Tho' I must admit, despite the Metro's faults here in DC, the Metro runs well and is a nicer ride overall.
WallSmart
2:42 pm on Sunday, January 8, 2012
Correctamundo Mary. The DC Metro is a nicer ride but it is one of the newer systems in the country. The MBTA is one of the oldest. However the MBTA bus service is much superior to DC.
Locally Involved
3:20 pm on Sunday, January 8, 2012
That's true @WallSmart! It is newer. I'll leave the bus service up to you, I've not needed to take any bus service here in the DC metro area. And, your T escalators generally are working, unlike here. Guess that's DC's way of making us get our exercise. hah
Locally Involved
3:56 pm on Sunday, January 8, 2012
That's true @WallSmart! It is newer. I'll leave the observation on bus service up to you as I've not needed to take any bus service here in the DC metro area. And, your T escalators generally are working, unlike here. Guess that's DC's way of making us get our exercise. hah