MBTA Budget Calculator

After a decade of chronic underfunding, the MBTA is facing a $161 million gap in its budget for fiscal year 2013, which begins on July 1st. The T has proposed two different packages of fare increases and service cuts (Scenario 1 and Scenario 2), both of which have generated strong public opposition. See if you can figure out a better way to fix next year's budget by choosing what you think are the best options for raising revenue, cutting costs, and finding help from other state agencies. Click to learn more about how the T got here, and see their proposals to fill the gap.

	Savings or Revenue
Fare Increases	Revenue
Across-the-board fare increasesDetails\|Clear Selection
Scenario 1 fare increases (avg. 43%)Details	$140.1 million
Scenario 2 fare increases (avg. 35%)Details	$114.2 million
Increase an average of 25%Details	$79.0 million
Increase an average of 10%Details	$41.0 million
The RIDEDetails\|Clear Selection
Regular fare $5, premium fare $12Details	$3.7 million
Regular fare $3, premium fare $5Details	$2.3 million
Service Cuts	Savings
Eliminate commuter rail after 10pm and on weekendsDetails	$5.7 million
Eliminate weekend service on Green Line E branch and Mattapan trolleyDetails	$1.5 million
Bus Cuts\|Clear Selection
MBTA Scenario 1 bus cutsDetails	$12.4 million
MBTA Scenario 2 bus cutsDetails	$60.4 million
MBTA Non-Fare Revenue	Revenue
Payment for existing naming rightsDetails	$2.2 million
Reinstate alcohol advertisingDetails	$1.5 million
50 cent ticket surcharge for large events with T or commuter rail serviceDetails	$5.0 million
$10 annual fee for students at colleges with T or commuter rail serviceDetails	$3.5 million
One-year wage freeze for all MBTA employeesDetails	$8.2 million
MBTA completes sale of East First St property to MassPortDetails	$10.4 million
Cost Transfers to Other Agencies	Savings
MassPort
MassPort takes over ferry operationsDetails	$3.7 million
MassPort buys ferry assets from MBTADetails	$16.0 million
MBTA ends remittance of Silver Line fares to MassPortDetails	$1.1 million
MassPort pays 45% of Silver Line Waterfront (SL1) operationsDetails	$1.8 million
Other state agencies
State police take over transit policeDetails	$36.3 million
State pays for operation of bus lines serving Long Island Homeless ShelterDetails	$1.3 million
Debt service costs transferred back to State\|Clear Selection
State reassumes all debt it transferred to MBTA in 2000Details	$291.9 million
State reassumes half of all debt it transferred to MBTA in 2000Details	$145.9 million
Commonwealth General Fund
Simplify sales tax allocation so MBTA receives 20% of total revenueDetails	$38.1 million
Reallocate surplus Underground Storage Tank funds to MBTADetails	$40.0 million
Transfer unused snow removal funds to MBTADetails	$7.0 million
New or Expanded State Funding	Revenue
Increase assessments on municipalities with MBTA service by 10%Details	$15.5 million
Increase vehicle registry fees by $10 per yearDetails	$52.6 million
Gas Tax\|Clear Selection
Raise gas tax and dedicate 1 cent per gallon to the MBTADetails	$27.7 million
Raise gas tax and dedicate 2 cents per gallon to the MBTADetails	$55.4 million

Budget Deficit:
$ 161,000,000

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MBTA Budget Calculator:

Fare Increases

Across-the-board fare increasesDetails|Clear Selection

The RIDEDetails|Clear Selection

Service Cuts

Bus Cuts|Clear Selection

MBTA Non-Fare Revenue

Cost Transfers to Other Agencies

MassPort

Other state agencies

Debt service costs transferred back to State|Clear Selection

Commonwealth General Fund

New or Expanded State Funding

Gas Tax|Clear Selection

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