MBTA projects record commuter-rail fare revenue for FY2016

In fiscal-year 2016, fare revenue on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's (MBTA) commuter-rail system has grown 5.8 percent so far compared with the previous fiscal year.

Total fare revenue for FY2016 is forecast at $215 million, which would mark a new record for the agency, MBTA officials said in a news release. For the month of May, revenue reached $17.8 million.

Last year, MBTA's commuter-rail operator Keolis hired 64 new conductors to bolster fare collection efforts and decrease fare evasions. The new staffers were part of a service improvement agreement between the agency and Keolis.

In April, Keolis presented a new proposal for fare collection that was supposed to increase revenue by up to $24 million annually. Under the Keolis proposal, the agency's fare collection system would be updated to make it easier to buy tickets but more difficult to evade fare checkers.

"We are committed to continuing to drive strong revenue growth on the commuter rail through enhanced fare collection efforts and use of the latest technology," said MBTA Chief Administrator Brian Shortsleeve.