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Rep. Rogers Among Those Asking MBTA to Skip 'Fare Hike'

$3 surcharge for commuter rail tickets purchased on board would start July 1.

 

State Rep. John Rogers is one of the 49 state legislators who yesterday asked the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority to stop plans to charge another $3 for commuter rail tickets purchased on trains starting this Sunday, July 1.

Travelers would pay the fee even if tickets aren't sold at the station they board from, the letter noted.

"This course of action is extremely disappointing, and I hope that the T will reconsider their decision. Many station stops don't offer the opportunity to purchase tickets, making the $3 fee mandatory for many riders," said State Rep. Louis Kafka (D-Stoughton), a Sharon native.

The $3 charge would represent a fare increase, ranging from 194.1 percent from Zone 1A to 63.6 percent from Zone 9, according to today's letter to Massachusetts Department of Transportation Secretary and Chief Executive Officer Richard Davey.

The letter was signed by members of the House and the Senate, including Rogers and Kafka.

"Many of the stations do not have ticket sales anywhere but on the train, and some of those that do only sell them during certain hours, so even at those locations there will be times where the '($3) discount' is not available," states the letter, which Rogers' office sent to Norwood Patch.

"Call it a surcharge, or say it's a lack of access to a discount, either way; commuters by no fault of their own will be forced to pay a penalty. We implore you to not let our constituents face such an unreasonable fare hike."

Norwood has three Commuter Rail stations - Norwood Central, Norwood Depot and Windor Gardens.

Related Topics: Local Representatives, MBTA, MBTA FARE hike, and rep. john rogers

Steve Heylin Jr.

3:20 pm on Thursday, June 28, 2012

And where did Mr. Rogers side when the new tax increase was voted on? The one that will raise all fares as well as the automobile registration fee in order to pay for the massive gap in fudning that the completely mismanaged MBTA is incurring? Would Mr. Rogers like to tell us how we will be able to pay for this when those of us working in the private sector continue to see our income go down while taxes, fees, and the cost of goods/services go up? I won't hold my breath waiting for his response.

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Mr. Ragman

8:37 am on Friday, June 29, 2012

Public transportation is just another social program. What percentage of riders pay a full fare or any fare at all? You can bet that those on the commuter rail (spelled affluent suburbians) will pay.

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neponset

9:59 am on Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Jimmy.......Rogers beat you by a landslide. Stop whining, stop lying, and get over it.

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TheMan

10:34 am on Tuesday, July 3, 2012

landslide? he barely won in Norwood, let alone Walpole. bye bye birdie!

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Annie

11:18 am on Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Jimmy......You're lying again. We voters of Norwood rejected your smears and lies last time...and we will reject you again.

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TheMan

10:51 am on Monday, July 16, 2012

Is he lying about Mr. Rogers voting to make all at-home daycare providers union member? And having union dues deducted from their reimbursements whether or not they like it? Is that lying Ms. Annie?

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