Remember to sign TJustice.info’s petition, HERE.

It will be sent to Massachusetts Senate President, Robert Travaglini, urging him to take up the issue of MBTA funding, so that we can head off the next round of fare hikes, which, I can assure you, are already in the works. Get in on this, and get your friends and colleagues in on it, too. It takes about thirty seconds. Imagine that: making a difference while sitting on your ass. It’s a wonderful world.

Jeff Rosenblum, of livablestreets, with whom I met briefly last Tuesday, I think it was, has told me that the Association for Public Transportation (APT) came out in favor of the fare increase at their annual meeting last week. Which gives me another opportunity to really hone my message: As I’ve said, I am more or less resigned to the current fare increase. I am not at all resigned to the next round of increases, and unless the public lobbies the legislature for real change in how the T is funded, we are looking at a spiral of higher fares and diminished services with no end in sight. It’s really that simple.

As for the rally at 4 o’clock in Copley Square on JUNE 6TH, well, what can I say that I haven’t already said?

As the date approaches, the plans sort of gain form. Basically what’s going to happen is, people will gather a little before four. Whoever shows up should come prepared to wave some signs and make some noise. (And, if you can, bring signs and noisemakers–and if anyone has a line on amplification equipment, let me know.) There may or may not be a speech by State Senator Jarret Barrios, and others, and at 4:30 those in attendance will be encouraged to go to the MBTA-sponsored hearing on the fare hikes at the Boston Public Library, which will be a big buzz kill, but that’s life. It can’t all be fun and games.

If you, too, have resigned yourself to current fare hikes, as I think many have, still realize that, as no less than Dan Grabauskas has said, the current hikes are necessary to maintain basic services, not to improve or enhance them. If the MBTA’s $8 billion debt is not addressed, and the legislature does not allow the T any other means to cover payments and higher operating costs than through fare increases, we will be looking at regular fare increases. The current increases are a quick fix, but unless the legislature addresses the issue again, another quick fix will be necessary for FY2008.

The MBTA cannot go to the legislature and ask for more money–it can only come to you and me.

So, if you think this fare increase is a little steep in some respects, but doable, that’s cool. But think ahead to ‘08 when we’ll be going through the same process again, but looking at $2.15 for one-way subway fare. Or, if you’re cool with that, to 2010, when it’ll be at least $2.60.

What’s being asked of you now is nothing. Sign a petition, email your represetnative, attend a rally or a meeting. Show your interest in an every-day issue. Big deal. But there are organizations and legislators out there who need to know you’re concerned. Once you’ve done you’re little part (at most about a three-hour commitment in toto, spread out over months), you can roll over and go back to sleep, just as I plan to do. And don’t hog the covers. I hate that.