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Service and Fare Change Equity Policy

When the MBTA proposes fare changes or major service changes, the federal government requires us to conduct an equity analysis to better understand the impacts on protected classes of riders. This refers to riders who are protected under federal law on the basis of race or ethnicity and riders with low income. The Service and Fare Change Equity Policy (formerly known as the Disparate Impact and Disproportionate Burden (DI/DB) Policy) includes the type of service and fare changes that require an analysis, and how we will conduct the analysis and engage the public throughout the process. It also details how we measure whether proposed changes will have an unfair effect on protected riders.

The Service and Fare Change Equity Policy:

  • Requires an equity analysis for all proposed fare changes
  • Defines “major service change” to identify when an equity analysis is required for proposed service changes
  • Defines “adverse effects” to identify how we will measure the impacts of a fare or major service change on protected riders

Application of the Service and Fare Change Equity Policy

We complete the following analyses:

Is it a Major Service Change?

A proposed service change constitutes a major service change under the policy if it:

  • Meets the mode or route-level threshold for change in weekly service hours or transit access;
  • Will last for more than 12 months

Service and Fare Equity Analyses

Will protected riders experience more of an impact from the proposed change?

  • For a service change, we calculate the change in service hours and/or access to service for current and proposed conditions.
  • For a fare change, we calculate the change in the average fare for current and proposed conditions.
  • We then analyze the change’s impacts on our ridership to determine if the change will have more of an impact and/or place more of a burden on protected riders.

If the change will have more of an impact on riders protected on the basis of race or ethnicity, this is called a disparate impact finding. The MBTA must demonstrate the need for the change, show that there are no effective alternatives, and show that the change is not a pretext for discrimination.

If the change places more of a burden on low-income riders, this is called a disproportionate burden finding. The MBTA must consider mitigation measures and any less discriminatory alternatives that may be available before moving ahead with the proposed change.

Title VI

The MBTA complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin (including limited English proficiency).

Learn more about Title VI Rights and Protections

File a Discrimination Complaint

Learn more about filing a complaint

Title VI

The MBTA complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin (including limited English proficiency).

Learn more about Title VI Rights and Protections

File a Discrimination Complaint

Learn more about filing a complaint