MBTA Collects Historic Revenue Despite Slight Ridership Drop

By Bret Silverberg

Despite a slight decrease in ridership, the T’s revenue reached an historic height over the last 12 months.

The MBTA collected $564,560,142 in fare revenue in fiscal year 2013, which ran from Aug. 1, 2012 to July 31, 2013.

This reflects a 21 percent increase over the previous fiscal year, according to a statement issued Thursday by MBTA General Manager Beverly Scott. It marks the first time in history the T has collected more than $500 million, according to the statement.

The revenues came during the first full fiscal year of fare hikes on the MBTA. Fares increased across the transit network on July 1, 2012. While ridership decreased, it didn't decrease as much as expected. 

Total ridership along the T declined by 2 percent in fiscal year 2013 compared to fiscal year 2012. Analysts originally predicted a drop of 5.5 percent, the statement says. 

“As we close the books on the first fiscal year since last year’s fare increase, the numbers show that the MBTA continues to be the preferred alternative for thousands of commuters,” Scott said in the statement.

In fiscal year 2013, the MBTA calculated 391,902,586 total rides, down from 400,197,307 in 2012.

MBTA fare revenue by year:

Fiscal Year 2012         $ 465,755,373

Fiscal Year 2011         $ 448,813,678

Fiscal Year 2010         $ 439,322,437

Fiscal Year 2009         $ 448,751,949

Fiscal Year 2008         $ 440,964,147