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Comments
T For Free?
Will the cost in taxes, per person, to accomplish this be equal to, less than, or more than the per person fare hike? Would you have all taxpayers, even those who have no access whatsoever to T services, pay for this or will it be funded by a city tax? Do you propose putting all future T expansion plans to a referendum vote by the public, or do you trust the General Court of the Commonwealth to wisely make such decisions?
I am not saying it can't be done, but I sure would need to hear more particulars. It's very easy to propose that the government be Santa Claus, but not so easy to figure out what we're going to feed the flying reindeer.
Monies for MBTA
The city can't do squat. While the majority of monies for government come from businesses and people in and immediately around Boston (with access to the T), the commonwealth tells Boston what it can and cannot do to get or spend money. That's the huge downside here to the capital city.
Plus the MBTA is a regional thingummy. So the real decision goes to Beacon Hill, where the anti-Boston folk reign. They are perfectly to let Boston (with a few others like Worcester or Lowell) act as staging grounds for immigrants, educators for newcomers and the poor, and of course, the tax base for the whole commonwealth.
I'll see if I can generate the figures quickly on such as 1) how much we spend on maintaining transportation (which Boston area resident do not benefit from) for the state, 2) what it would cost for a free or reduced-fare T system, and 3) what the tangible benefits would be from reducing the car and truck traffic with increased ridership.
I can see this consuming me. Worse things could happen.
Back to your excellent question set, it would require a commitment from the legislature to improve our health, reduce gas dependence, and on and on. As you note, it's not impossible, but it's not likely to happen this week.
revenue neutral
Back in the days of the 85 cent subway fare, I read an analysis that the T actually *lost* money by collecting fares, once you took into account the salaries of all the people involved in fare collection, turnstile repair and maintenance costs, etc. I don't know if that still holds now that the fare is $1.25.