Dependable, efficient, and affordable transit is critical for Melrose. Manisha organized a team to represent Melrose in the #UnfairHikes action spearheaded by Boston City Councillor Michelle Wu on July 1 because she believes we need strong regional leadership and a seat at the table to develop climate smart, equitable, 21st century solutions for the MBTA. She was interviewed by The Boston Globe when our team was at Oak Grove Station.
“Frustrated riders want T service to improve” coverage in The Boston Globe, available at: https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/07/01/frustrated-riders-want-service-improve/cfyipyLlkBc7vts6gfHJfL/story.html
MALDEN — Melrose City Councilor-At-Large Manisha Bewtra and five protesters handed out #UnfairHikes fliers and stickers at the Oak Grove Orange Line station during the morning commute Monday. They encouraged commuters to take a selfie with the sticker on their shirt and share it on social media.
Bewtra said every extra cent counts for people in Melrose and other nearby suburbs who rely on public transportation to access to jobs, especially people who earn minimum wage and can’t lay out $90 at the beginning of the month for a monthly pass.
“If you’re taking the T to work every day, you’re spending a good chunk of your hourly wages just to get to your job,” she said.
Justin Suarez, 21, forgot about the fair hike and brought exact change for his morning commute from Oak Grove to Cambridge. He did not have enough cash with him, but got on the train thanks to protesters who provided the extra 25 cents.
“The services aren’t good enough in the first place,” he said at the station.
Christine Nelson-Rivers, 54, said she’s witnessed the quality of MBTA service decline throughout years of commuting between Melrose and Boston. Frequent pauses between stops and overcrowded trains during peak hours signify that past fair hikes have not been dedicated to improving service, she said.
“I used to be able to say the Orange Line is the best line and now that’s totally changed,” she said. “Someone needs to stand up and say something.”
— ALISON HAGAN