The MBTA will consider fare-free sections of bus routes where the red line subway closes for repairs this year, but making the No. 1 bus fare-free is off the table for now in discussions with the transit agency, according to a memo from Iram Farooq, assistant city manager for community development. The memo is on the agenda for Monday’s meeting of the City Council.
“The MBTA has been supportive of fare-free bus route programs but expects challenging financial conditions,” Farooq said. “At this point, the MBTA cannot fund fare-free routes relying on its own budget.”
Cambridge and Boston would have to make up for the lost yearly revenue of at least $2.3 million to $3.2 million – of which Cambridge’s share would be at least $1 million to $1.3 million – and budgets for the upcoming year are basically set, Farooq noted.
The combination of a fare discount program and the implementation of a new fare collection system “will have similar benefits for affordability and service quality as fare-free routes,” the memo says, and “it will be helpful to see the results of these initiatives before making a decision on fare-free bus routes” for consideration in the 2026 fiscal year budget.
The council meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday at City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge.
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As a very long-time user (50 +years) of the #1 bus, while the loss of a future free fair is problematic, the current schedule issue is much more of a problem. We used to be able to catch a #1 bus every 5-7 mins. Now & for over a year, it’s every 15-25 mins. The buses are now overloaded as a result & often plain ineffective for those who are disabled, elderly & rely on the bus because they are car-less.
The problem is that Pickett et al. want to ensure that the only way to quickly/reliably/safely get around Cambridge is via private cars. Cambridge Streets All For Cars.
Show up and demand that they make transit fast and reliable.
@cambridgeresident Toner and Pickett et al. need to be voted out. They aim is to prioritize private cars in Cambridge’s transportation system, restricting quick, reliable, and safe transit options.
Their agenda favors car owners’ convenience, pushing for streets mainly catering to cars. We must advocate for transit that prioritizes efficiency and accessibility for all. Let’s demand public transit that’s fast, reliable, sustainable, and inclusive.
Our streets are not just for people who can afford cars.
So instead of participatory budgeting for next year, fund the #1 bus. Who would complain?
Fare free #1 bus would probably win at participatory budgeting. Why does it have to be instead of that?
The point is, the amount is peanuts for the city budget, and would be way more useful than a “solar bench”