Schools would have to pay if MBTA fares increase

Lawmakers are weighing raising fares on the MBTA, and which would affect all riders, including Boston Public School students.

The cost to take a ride could be going up across the board, single passes by a dime and monthly passes by nearly $10. Mayor Marty Walsh said Thursday that schools would likely have to find the money to pay for it.

Faniesha Hunter uses the T daily and knows kids do too. With the last hike in July of 2014, she said enough is enough, especially for schools.

"Schools are already having a tough time with their budgets as is so to have them come out of pocket to have a student come to class is a lot," she said.

Boston Public Schools said the increase would cost the district an additional $1.4 million, when the district is already facing a deficit of tens of millions of dollars.

"Schools will pay," said Walsh. "We have to get our kids to school, so we're going be able to pay, but we're going to see what that impact will be.  As far as the increase goes, it depends on how they figure it out."

Whatever way it's figure out, Gov. Charlie Baker said he wants to make sure the process for increasing fares is very public.

'Obviously, we need to be working with the Fiscal financial Control Board and the folks at the T to do a better job of making sure that riders have the experience they deserve at a price they can afford," said Baker.

Thursday afternoon, the MBTA responded to FOX25's questions about the increase and impact on schools: "While implementing cost-cutting measures and operational efficiencies, the T is also working to establish a pattern of predictable and modest fare increases".

It's not clear when a final decision will be made, But many riders have said they're not eager for a fare hike anytime soon.

Cox Media Group