How a low-income MBTA fare program would work

Also: Mass. officially backs supervised consumption sites; Boston fertility doctor accused of impregnating patients [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  December 14, 2023 ☀️ Sunny, with a high near 37. Good Morning Boston, Don't let the clear skies fool you; it's [a chilly one]( out there today. While you continue to [avoid driving anywhere close to Rhode Island]( let's get to the news: - After years of advocacy and internal debate, the MBTA is on the verge of launching [discounted fares to low-income riders](. During a MBTA Board of Directors meeting yesterday, T staff gave a preview of the program they're envisioning in 2024. Here's what we know: - Who would benefit? The MBTA [already offers half-price fares]( to students, low-income young adults and seniors. But there's a big hole of low-income riders ages 26 to 64 who don't get a discount. The new program would give a 50% fare discount to everyone in that age range who have incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty level, according to Steven Povich, the T's director of fare policy and analytics. For a single individual, that means up to $29,000 a year, or $60,000 for a household of four. - How would it work? The fare discounts would cover all MBTA modes: bus, subway, commuter rail, ferry and The Ride. Povich says those who enroll in the program would be mailed a special CharlieCard that, after being loaded with money, would only deduct half the price of a fare when tapped on a fare reader. - For the commuter rail, T officials say riders would also be able to use the card to get the discount via fare vending machines, the mTicket app and onboard sales from conductors. - How much would they save? It depends on the person. An MBTA rider with a monthly pass would save $720 a year. Meanwhile, commuter rail users could save even more; for example, a monthly pass holder going between Framingham and Boston would save $1,908. - How do I sign up? The T hopes to create a five-minute online application that could use data from the RMV and the state Office of Health and Human Services (which administers several social safety net programs) to verify people’s identity and income. Povich said they're also hoping to partner with a local community group to set up in-person applications for those who can't (or don't want to) apply online. - What's next: If approved, the program's launch is still months away. MBTA staff are hoping to present their official proposal as soon as next month. After a 45-day public comment period and board vote, Povich estimates it would be another two to six months to actually implement the program. - The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is calling on state lawmakers to make it easier for local communities to open supervised consumption sites. [As WBUR's Martha Bebinger reports]( DPH released a report yesterday calling the controversial sites "an effective means of reducing overdoses and fatalities." But since the sites violate federal law, DPH said they would not be feasible for a municipality to open without at least some new state-level liability protections. - Zoom out: The report was released alongside the latest statewide overdose death numbers, which remain [at grim record highs](. - The [new police union contract]( wasn't the only thing the Boston City Council approved during its final meeting of the year yesterday. WBUR's Simón Rios reports councilors also passed a home rule petition that would let the city's [thousands of non-citizen residents]( (who often work and pay taxes in Boston) vote in local elections. - The measure is still a long way from becoming reality. In order to take effect, the home rule petition needs to be approved by Mayor Michelle Wu, the State House and Gov. Maura Healey. Cambridge, Newton and Somerville have all passed similar measures, which are now languishing amid inaction from the State House. - Provincetown is joining a small list of Massachusetts communities that have effectively decriminalized psychedelic mushrooms. This week, the P-town Select Board [passed a measure]( instructing police to de-prioritize cases involving psilocybin. - Zoom out: Cambridge, Easthampton, Northampton, Salem and Somerville have also passed similar ordinances, ahead of [a potential 2024 ballot measure]( that could legalize psychedelic therapy across Massachusetts. P.S.— Though we won't be [eating KFC or hosting any fistfights]( WBUR's own unique Christmas tradition is right around the corner. Come join your favorite WBUR hosts and reporters next Tuesday at CitySpace for our [annual reading of "A Christmas Carol]( We promise there'll be lots of complimentary cookies, hot cocoa and cozy feels. Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  The Rundown [Boston fertility doctor accused of using his own sperm to impregnate patient]( A Maine woman has sued a prominent retired Boston fertility doctor, alleging he improperly impregnated her with his own sperm during an artificial insemination procedure performed more than four decades ago. [Read more.]( [Boston fertility doctor accused of using his own sperm to impregnate patient]( A Maine woman has sued a prominent retired Boston fertility doctor, alleging he improperly impregnated her with his own sperm during an artificial insemination procedure performed more than four decades ago. [Read more.]( [New Hampshire attorney general files second complaint against white nationalist group NSC-131]( The New Hampshire attorney general is again accusing a white nationalist group of civil rights violations. The complaint says that NSC-131 member Christopher Hood, of Newburyport, Mass., violated the state’s anti-discrimination law by standing outside the Teatotaller Cafe in Concord in June, shouting homophobic slurs and banging on the windows. [Read more.]( [New Hampshire attorney general files second complaint against white nationalist group NSC-131]( The New Hampshire attorney general is again accusing a white nationalist group of civil rights violations. The complaint says that NSC-131 member Christopher Hood, of Newburyport, Mass., violated the state’s anti-discrimination law by standing outside the Teatotaller Cafe in Concord in June, shouting homophobic slurs and banging on the windows. [Read more.]( [House votes to formalize Biden impeachment inquiry]( The House of Representatives has voted along party lines to formalize an impeachment inquiry into President Biden, as House Republicans intensify the investigation into Biden they opened earlier this year. [Read more.]( [House votes to formalize Biden impeachment inquiry]( The House of Representatives has voted along party lines to formalize an impeachment inquiry into President Biden, as House Republicans intensify the investigation into Biden they opened earlier this year. [Read more.]( ['It allows doctors to be human beings': Mass. hospitals will stop asking clinicians about past mental health and addiction]( The state’s hospitals and insurers say they will no longer ask clinicians about their history of mental health or substance use treatment. It's an effort to encourage health care providers to seek help when they need it. [Read more.]( ['It allows doctors to be human beings': Mass. hospitals will stop asking clinicians about past mental health and addiction]( The state’s hospitals and insurers say they will no longer ask clinicians about their history of mental health or substance use treatment. It's an effort to encourage health care providers to seek help when they need it. [Read more.]( [The Fed is probably done raising interest rates and could cut them next year]( The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady on Wednesday, amid signs of easing inflation. The central bank signaled that its benchmark borrowing rate may start to fall next year. [Read more.]( [The Fed is probably done raising interest rates and could cut them next year]( The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady on Wednesday, amid signs of easing inflation. The central bank signaled that its benchmark borrowing rate may start to fall next year. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - The celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party kicks off today. Read more about the itinerary for the historic occassion — plus improv and a German Christmas wine market — in our arts and culture team's [list of five local things to do this weekend](. - Boston's comedy scene doesn't always reflect the diversity of the city, but this new comedy showcase "Fruits by the Foot" looks to create a[dedicated space for queer comedians and audiences alike](. - The federal government has announced new rules for the repatriation of Native objects and ancestral remains, taking effect next year. They could have [implications for four museums in Massachusetts](. - Sam Habib writes in this Cognoscenti essay that there's no roadmap for being an adult with a disability. So, after asking some of the most famous disability advocates for advice, he's [creating his own](.  What We're Reading 📚 - At Trump’s Fraud Trial, a Courtroom Artist With a Different View ([The New York Times]( - TikTok isn’t creating false support for Palestine. It’s just reflecting what’s already there. ([Vox]( - The year Twitter died: a special series from The Verge ([The Verge](  Tell Me Something Good [13 cold stunned sea turtles from New England given holiday names as they rehab in Florida]( This Rudolph will not be leading his pals Blitzen, Dasher, Dancer, Vixen, Comet and Cupid through the Christmas Eve sky, but maybe he will lead them back out to sea one day. [Read more.]( [13 cold stunned sea turtles from New England given holiday names as they rehab in Florida]( This Rudolph will not be leading his pals Blitzen, Dasher, Dancer, Vixen, Comet and Cupid through the Christmas Eve sky, but maybe he will lead them back out to sea one day. [Read more.]( Listen: The Common talks about [the three themes that most resonated this year in our Cognoscenti opinion section](. Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: [Shoe goals.]( 😎 Forward to a friend. They can sign up [here](. 🔎 Explore [WBUR's Field Guide]( stories, events and more. 📣 Give us your feedback: newsletters@wbur.org 📧 Get more WBUR stories sent to your inbox. [Check out all of our newsletter offerings.]( Support the news    Want to change how you receive these emails? Stop getting this newsletter by [updating your preferences.](  I don't want to hear from WBUR anymore. 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