Riders urge Mass. lawmakers to pass T bailout
BOSTON—State lawmakers are being urged to approve a bill aimed at heading off deeper cuts in service on the Boston-area transit system.
Dozens of MBTA riders and advocates for public transportation held a Statehouse rally on Tuesday, one day before scheduled debate on the measure in the House.
The bill would transfer more than $50 million to the T and other financially-strapped regional transit authorities.
In April, the MBTA board voted to raise fares an average 23 percent and reduce some service. But officials have warned of more severe cuts if the legislation isn't passed by July 1.
Organizers of the rally called for changes in a provision of the bill that calls for a crackdown on fare evaders, saying it could lead to more criminal charges against low-income people.
