Inconvenience, health decline seen after MBTA cuts, fare hikes

By PBN Staff

ATTLEBORO – Following 31 public hearings at which nearly 6,000 people testified, state and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority officials say that fare hikes and service cuts are inevitable, according to the Attleboro Sun Chronicle.

Sure to be significantly affected is the MBTA service to Rhode Island, which has stops in Mansfield, Attleboro and South Attleboro, as well as Providence and T.F. Green Airport, with new service extending to North Kingstown later this year, the busiest line in the system, according to the Sun Chronicle.

Testimony included laments from workers who have to take public transit to work as well as to receive health care. A regional planning agency, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, released a report that contends the service cuts and fare hikes could add to pollution, increase traffic accidents and cut off households from access to health care.