Locals hope T can stave off fare hikes

LYNN – Corliss Rowe rides a bus almost every day and says in the seven years since she started using public transportation, bus drivers have become friendlier and the service has improved.But Rowe is worried that bus route service cuts, including evening ones slated to begin this weekend on the Central Square-Neptune Towers route, could force her to change her schedule or dig deeper into her purse.”I don’t want the fare to go up but it might be the only way to do it,” she said, referring to the money woes plaguing the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.Bad news, primarily financial, has plagued the MBTA in recent months. The authority’s board of directors approved a budget last week, warning of possible fare hikes and service cuts if revenue does not increase.The MBTA expects fare revenue to increase by $4.5 million as more drivers ride the T, but that increase is not enough to cover the authority’s deficits.Unlike Rowe, bus riders Glenn Zimiroski and Michelle Koolian are unhappy with bus service and driver courtesy. Before it considers a fare hike, Zimiroski said the MBTA should review bus service and make sure it is running enough buses on busy lines like the Wonderland station to Lynn peak commuter hour routes.”It’s always crowded,” he said.