BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Starting on Saturday, it might be a good idea to give yourself extra time when you travel on the T.
The MBTA has officially implemented service cuts to all subway and most bus lines -- as ridership remains low during the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to transit officials, ridership is down by 75% on the red, green and orange lines -- and the agency is facing a deficit of 400 million dollars.
The cuts include decreasing train frequency by 20% on the red, green and orange lines -- and a decrease of 5% on the blue line.
When it comes to busses, transit-critical communities will not see any changes.
"It's going to be a pain in the butt," one rider said. "Now I have to change my whole schedule around basically -- I'm going to have to get up earlier or leave earlier."
Critics of the service cuts cite that the agency has received billions in federal aid from the U.S. government that they believe would be able to keep the service running.
However transit officials argue that the cuts are necessary to balancing costs -- and will save the MBTA about 21 million dollars.
WBZ’s Matt Shearer (@MattWBZ) reports.
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Written by Rachel Armany
(Photo: Getty Images)