T fare hike protesters to hold rally

Organizers of a planned MBTA boycott today to protest a proposed fare increase have changed their tactics, deciding instead to hold a short rally before the first in a series of public hearings to discuss the fare hike.

The boycott was cancel ed after negative reaction from organizations and rider advocates, organizers said. ``I think it alienated a lot of people we wanted to get connected and involved," said organizer Mike Mennonno . ``We wanted to shift the focus on something really productive."

Another problem was how difficult it was for many T riders to find another way to get to work, he said.

``A lot of the feedback we got was, `I'm with you in spirit, but I have to get to work that day,' " said Mennonno, who runs www.t-rage.com , which monitors and comments on T service.

Mennonno said his push is now focused less on the T and more on the state Legislature, which he said should help the MBTA with its record debt burden and to avoid the fare hike.

The first two of five public hearings on the proposed fare hike are scheduled today: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Boston Public Library at 700 Boylston St., and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Framingham Town Hall, 150 Concord St. Other hearings are scheduled tomorrow in Lynn, June 12 in Attleboro, and June 13 in Arlington.

Under the proposed hike, local subway service fares would rise from $1.25 to $1.70, and local bus service will jump from 90 cents to $1.25. If approved by the MBTA Board of Directors, the fare hike would go into effect in January.

Mac Daniel