MBTA Urged to Boost Fare Collection on Commuter Rail

MBTA Faces Pressure to Enhance Commuter Rail Fare Collection. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Massachusetts Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro demands MBTA prioritize fare collection now. He targets Keolis in the next Commuter Rail contract.

Fare Collection Under Fire

Shapiro criticizes the MBTA for downplaying uncollected fares and lost revenue for years. In a letter to MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng, he highlights key issues.

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“The MBTA overlooks active fare collection and focuses too much on fare evasion,” Shapiro argues. He insists Keolis must enforce contract terms to boost revenue efforts.

Uncollected fares significantly impact the MBTA, though they won’t solve the budget gap. Shapiro stresses that every dollar matters, and leadership must value each one equally.

The letter arrives as Keolis’ current contract nears its end this month. Meanwhile, the South Coast Rail project launches soon, marking a major MBTA milestone.

Shapiro notes the contract penalizes poor cleanliness more than uncollected fares, which misaligns priorities. He believes this approach undermines revenue generation as a vital goal.

The MBTA must hold Keolis accountable for installing fare gates at key stations. Only North Station has gates, despite a 2017 agreement mandating more.

“Revenue-sharing terms fail to offset poor ticketing practices on trains,” Shapiro explains. He argues Keolis lacks incentive to address the revenue gap effectively.

Recent improvements by Keolis highlight past failures, not future commitment. Shapiro doubts the operator’s dedication ahead of the next contract bidding process.

MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo promises a formal response to Shapiro’s letter soon. He defends the agency’s efforts, claiming the letter misses some progress.

“We recognize fare collection’s importance and strive to enhance it system-wide,” Pesaturo asserts. Conductors now validate more tickets, boosting both revenue and accountability.

Installation of fare gates progresses, with South Station work starting this spring. By summer, those gates activate, while Back Bay’s gates launch in fall.

Fare Collection Drives Future Success

Pesaturo credits faster timelines to partnerships with private developers at both stations. These collaborations secure space for the MBTA to install gates efficiently.

Keolis faces scrutiny but has not yet responded to requests for comment. The operator’s silence adds tension as the contract deadline approaches rapidly.

Shapiro’s push aims to reshape MBTA priorities and ensure fiscal responsibility moving forward. His critique underscores the need for robust ticketing strategies now.

The MBTA balances growth, like the South Coast Rail, with revenue challenges daily. Strengthening enforcement could stabilize finances and support future transit projects.

Public transit reliability hinges on revenue, and Shapiro demands Keolis deliver results. The MBTA must act decisively to secure every dollar for riders’ benefit.

As the contract renewal looms, all eyes watch the MBTA’s next steps closely. Reforms in ticketing could define the agency’s financial health for years ahead.

Source: www.masstransitmag.com

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