MBTA Fare Practices

Like many Bostonians I ride the T around Boston. It's easy, cheap, and I don't have to find a place to park. I also use the commuter rail. The commuter rail runs from Boston all the way to Worcester, which is where my folks live. There are several advantages to taking the commuter rail to my folks house, such as, not having to drive, resting while travling, and it's cheap.

"It's cheap" seems to be a common theme. Recetly the MBTA raised the fare for both the T and for the commuter rail, sort of defeating the "it's cheap" logic. The MBTA has a deficet, and thusly had to raise fares to compensate. The MBTA claims that ridership is declining. There are two, yup only two, reasons for this. Drum roll please.......................................Fares have gone up and service sucks!

I have perviously spouted off on service, so I'll stick to the fares. I'm not an economics major, but I do know that in order to make money, one would have to collect fares!

I know what you must be thinking, "What do you mean one has to collect fares, doesn't the MBTA collect fares?" Well, this past weekend my wife and I went from Boston to Worcester via the commuter rail. This trip used to cost us $12.00. Due to the new fares it now costs us $15.50. We bought our tickets at South Station. Many riders pay for there fare on the train. Usualy by the second or third stop the conducter has collect my fare. One this particular ride the conducter walked through our car on the train several times and did not collect our fare. Not only did he not collect our fare, but he did not collect the fare of anyone in our car.

Now, many riders may think that not paying the fare would be a great little freebe. I don't. The reason I don't is because, I understand that if the MBTA collected their fares, I would only be paying $1.25, and not $2.00 to ride the T, and $12.00, and not $15.50 to ride the commuter rail.

I have sent a letter to the MBTA explaining the economics of running a business. Hopfuly I get a response so that I can post it here for all to see.

LT's comments

On Sunday January 14, 2007 the New England Patriots were victorious over the San Diego Chargers. An NFL fan could not have asked for a better playoff game. Arguably the leagues best QB and RB were going to duke it out. Ultimatly the game came down to a field goal by the Patriots Rookie kicker.

Now the really interesting part of the story is, when the Patriots won, several of the guys on the team did a dance. The dance that they did was made famous by Shawne Merriman and it's called "Lights Out". LaDainian Tomlinson took offense to this. LT said that when another team goes to mid-field and does a dance that Merriman made famouse that it's disrespectful, and it starts with the coach.

There are a few things wrong with LT's line of thinking. I assume that LT thinks that it's bad form to taunt one's opponent. That is exactly what the Patriots were doing. But I would like to point out that, it is also what the Chargers, or more specificly, Merriman does. I don't recall LT ever complaining that Merriman is offending opposing teams. Secondly, the Patriots won a tough game. When a team win, espeacialy a meaningful tough game, they are going to celebrate. Celebration is good. The Patriots should have celebrated. Merriman dances all the time in celebration, and LT has no issue with that. Third, the Charges spent a good portion of the week talking and taunting the Patriots. The Patriots did not talk to taunt back until they won. LT had no issues with the taunting from his team.

All in all, when one's team looses and one starts pointing out how the other team was taunting, espeacialy when one's own team was taunting, that person looks like a cry baby. I think LT should no longer stand for LaDainian Tomlinson, but for LITTLE TOT instead.