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BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Protesters gathered near the MBTA Park Street Station on Sunday for the Boston T Party rally.
The rally challenged MBTA fare hikes that are set to go into effect on Monday. Demonstrators said that the fare hikes are unfair after a series of recent train derailments.
Boston City Councilor At-Large Michelle Wu has been speaking out against the fare hikes. She was at the rally.
"We are at a crisis point in Massachusetts when it comes to public transit and transportation," Wu said at the rally. "It's not just that the T is falling apart, it's that it's driving people into cars, and our traffic is getting worse by the day. It's already the worst in the country."
Wu has been asking residents to join the effort against the hikes. In the effort, called the #UnfairHikes Action, officials will be at MBTA stations on Monday to speak with riders.
“When you look at what the T prices have been over the last seven years, we’re up 41 percent now since 2012. The people are paying out of pocket to ride the T," Wu said.
Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone was in attendance at the rally.
“Don’t let them get away with this,” Curtatone said to the crowd. “Do not let them provide broken promises again. I thank you for coming out here. I stand side-by-side with you for this fight. We will succeed if we stick together.”
Earlier this week, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker asked the state legislature for $50 million for MBTA upgrades.
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WBZ NewsRadio's Kevin Coleman (@KevinColemanWBZ) reports