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MBTA approves 9.2 percent fare hike after protesters interrupt meeting

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's control board has voted to raise fares on the public transportation system an average 9.2 percent beginning July 1.

The vote came after protesters shut down the board's meeting for about a half an hour on Monday.

“Our point here today is to make sure they know loud and clear that the riders aren’t just going to sit back and allow them to pass fare increases that go above what the law prevents,” protest organizer Leo Matsueda said.

The actual vote was drowned out by protesters' chants and cries. An MBTA spokesman later confirmed the vote was taken.

>>READ MORE: Full table of newly approved MBTA fares

“I think the great irony here is that what the control board was trying to do but the very angry people in the room could not hear was to say we hear you. We’re going to mitigate the effects on our most vulnerable passengers and we are going to guarantee you that we are only raising these fares to improve your service,” Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack said.

Proposed increases had ranged from 5 percent to nearly 10 percent.

MBTA officials say the hikes are needed as the system struggles with annual operating deficits and an estimated $7.3 billion backlog of deferred maintenance.

T officials have reported progress in cutting overtime and other administrative costs.

Many riders argued at a series of public hearings the T should not ask customers to pay more until service improves.

The Associated Press Contributed to this report