MassPIRG has a petition up and running, too, that you could certainly sign, but note that the petitions are different. MassPIRG’s will be presented to the MBTA Board of Directors.

Mine–TJustice’s–will be presented to the President of the State Senate, Robert Travaglini. The reason for this is that, according to my sources at the MBTA and in other activist organizations, it is the STATE LEGISLATURE, not the MBTA that the public needs to lobby.

Expressing displeasure with the fare hike to the MBTA doesn’t hurt, of course–and by all means, you should sign MassPIRG’s petition–but unless the legislature gets involved, the MBTA will have no choice but to raise fares. Because the legislature has left them no choice.

There are many reasons to oppose fare hikes. If you want to know the truth, I have come to accept the current hikes. I think the idea of simplifying and standardizing fares across the board is a good one, and free transfers will bring Boston’s system in line, costwise, with the rest of the nation’s. Subway-only pass-holders will pay an undue price for this, but that’s life.

What I very much oppose is the next round of fare hikes. And if the legislature does not go back to the drawing board to address the MBTA’s debt, there will be another round, maybe as early as next year, certainly in ‘08. That’s clear.

So, while I encourage you to sign MassPIRG’s petition, I ask that you sign TJustice’s, too. They are not the same.