No escaping cuts, fare hikes on T

BOSTON—There will be no stopping fare hikes and service cuts on the MBTA.  According to Secretary of Transportation Richard Davey and Jonathan Davis, General Manager of the MBTA "Our final proposal will include both cuts and a fare increase."   They said they would make a final recommendation before its April 4 meeting on how to close the T’s $159 million budget deficit. They did not say what the final fare increase would be. Many bus routes in the Boston area, all weekend commuter rail service and all  Harbor ferries may be eliminated. Even with service cuts and fare increases, the T may have the same budget problems next year.  Some riders and advocates have suggested different ideas for funding the T, such as increasing the gasoline tax, to help pay for the T.