Boston Personal Injury Attorney Blog
The MBTA may have recently announced potential double-digit fare increases, but the popular transportation system was also able to announce a significant increase in ridership for the 13th month in a row.
According to the Boston Globe, this last February marked a record high for that month’s figures for the MBTA. Currently, the T provides transportation for nearly 1.5 million passenger trips on commuter rails, subways, buses and The Ride each and every weekday. Just in February, there was a more than 8 percent increase in ridership. This increase made that the highest February in the MBTA’s history.
Typically, February is the slowest month of the year for ridership. With the beautiful, warm weather we’ve had lately, with the rising gas prices and with the improvements the T has made, transportation officials believe that the T is becoming more of an everyday option for residents.
Unfortunately, an increase in ridership means and increase in the number of trips and the number of loads that these trains, subways and buses have to carry. With more wear and tear come more risks for accidents. Be cautious when riding on our transportation system as MBTA accidents in Boston and elsewhere are likely when safety precautions are not met.
Our Boston MBTA accident attorneys understand that there was a near 20 percent increase in the ridership on weekday bus rides alone. The Green Line’s ridership rose by more than 12 percent. Ridership on the Blue, Orange and Red Lines increased by about 5 percent and the ridership on the harbor ferry service jumped by nearly 13 percent. That’s a lot more riders and a lot more trips than the previous year. It’s important for transportation officials to keep equipment up to date and in the proper condition to meet such high demands.
Recently, the Boston Globe also reported that the cost of a subway trip could run riders about 30 cents more. The news source also reported an expected 25 cent jump in busing fees and even some tickets for the commuter rails could soon exceed $10 for the first time ever. This was all discussed through a recent budget-balancing meeting. If all of these plans are approved, the fare hikes could take place as early as July 1.
With more trips and more riders, the MBTA needs more money. Keeping all of these trains, buses and subways in good-working order for the public is a costly project. One of the most effective ways to fund these projects is to raise fare costs. It may seem unfair to the community, but when you think about it you’re helping to fund your own safety and you’re still saving cash at the gas pump.
If you remember, this isn’t the first hike we’ve talked about. We recently told you about the increases in the 2011 transportation ridership. Well, the trend is continuing on. We can only expect more in the future.
If you, a friend or someone you love has been injured in an MBTA bus, train or subway accident, contact Boston Injury Attorney Jeffrey S. Glassman to set up a free and confidential appointment to discuss your rights. Call 877-617-5333.
More Blog Entries:
Train Accident Shuts Down AmTrack Trips between Boston and New York, Boston Personal Injury Attorney Blog, August 5, 2011
Boston Accidents May Increase with Uptick in MBTA Ridership, Boston Personal Injury Attorney Blog, March 1, 2012