Fares were last raised in 1991. Years later when the Weld Administration's blueprint for privatization proved to be politically unpopular, the MBTA's financing problems left the collective radar screen. While bridge and toll road drivers and taxpayers are called upon to sacrifice to alleviate this crisis, the MBTA and its users continue to enjoy an almost free ride. Shouldering the MBTA's burden isn't good for the state's bond rating. By Wall Street's account, the more the T borrows, the less the state can borrow for other projects without impairing its bond rating.
Forward funding is a move in the right direction.
By guaranteeing a revenue stream that bears no relation to costs or usage, the legislature is simply substituting one flawed budget practice for another. An efficient and fare solution. The MBTA charges one of the lowest fares in the nation. In 1997, the MBTA made 3.8 times as many bus trips as all of the state's regional transit authorities combined. Yet, the state subsidy was 6.19 times higher for MBTA bus operations than for RTA bus operations.