Students find alternative transportation in response to T fare hikes

The Green B Line runs through Boston University, and as a result, is one of the main forms of transportation for BU students. But now with 23 percent fare hikes approved by the MBTA on Wednesday, Boston University students will pay more to ride the T or will have to find alternative forms of transportation when they return in the Fall. These changes will go into effect on July 1, 2012, so those staying in or around the city for the summer will feel the squeeze even sooner.

After months of heated public debates, Tuesday's Occupy the T protest took to the steps of the Statehouse, representing the sentiments of many Boston residents upset with the price increase. BU students may be just as angry when the prices of BU's Fall 2012 T pass are released on May 1. 

The Blandford Street T stop

All of these changes mean that the price of BU’s discounted Semester T pass, priced at $210.04 for Spring 2012,  will likely rise, according to Timothy Dunn, Office Manager of Parking and Transportation Services at BU.  

“They’ve never increased the price in the six years I’ve been here, but with this fare increase we’d probably see a price increase,” he said.  

There will be an overall fare hike of 30 cents per ride on the T and 25 cents on the bus, bringing prices up to $2.00 and $1.50 respectively. Luckily, none of the approved service cuts will directly affect the BU campus, but students venturing off campus will notice the elimination of weekend service on some E line stops, and cuts or route changes to bus lines in other parts of the city. 

Local students and faculty who commute to campus, or students who will commute to a summer internship in the city are facing an increase of $1.25 per commuter rail ride, making the total $10.50 each way. However, even with this increase, Boston commuter rail is still cheaper than New York City, the NJ Transit, LA, San Francisco, and Washington DC.  

The BU Shuttle route.

How will students respond to these changes? Many students will likely continue to ride the T, but perhaps some will look for alternative modes of transportation. In addition to walking, using the free BU Shuttle service, and riding their own bikes, more students might consider taking advantage of the new public Hubway bike stations on campus and around the city.

A Hubway bike station at Marsh Plaza

Since the launch of Hubway bikes in July 2011, four stations have appeared along BU’s campus:  one in front of the St. Paul Street T stop, one in front of Marsh Plaza, one at Kenmore Square and another on Beacon St. near Danielsen.  In total, there are 600 bikes at 60 stations around Boston. 

There are four Hubway Bike stations along BU's campus and several more in the surrounding area.

Hubway bikes are free for the first 30 minutes, which may appeal to people with a short commute.  It costs $2.00 after the first 30 minutes, and $6.00 after an hour. An annual membership costs $85, considerably less than the cost of riding the T for a year.  Hubway riders also have the option of simply paying for an entire day of riding, or for three days.

Riding bikes is already a popular mode of transportation at BU, with a registered 1400 bikes and 231 bike racks around campus, providing 3140 spaces for bike parking, according to Dunn.

With increased tuition and housing fees next year, the T prices are yet another unexpected cost of studying at BU.

Students walking on Commonwealth Avenue