The Swellesley Report

More than you really want to know about Wellesley, Mass.

MBTA’s proposed fare hikes for Wellesley commuters

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Wellesley Hills commuter rail train mbta

The MBTA is once again daring commuters in Wellesley to drive instead of take the train. The MBTA is proposing fare increases on subway (single rides up 6.7% with a Charliecard from $2.25 to $2.40) and commuter rail trains (up 6.9% from $244.25 to $261 for a monthly pass). The T says it is proposed an average 6.3% increase across all fares.

Will an extra $16.75 per month be enough to prompt Wellesley commuters to drive, uber or find some other way to get back and forth between town and their destinations? Probably not. But I’m sure there are a lot of smart Wellesley residents will be doing the math.

The MBTA says it needs the additional revenue to cover improvements to the transportation system, and emphasizes that it hasn’t raised rates since 2016. Though Boston.com notes that this would be the fourth fare hike since 2012.

If you’re fired up enough to attend a public meeting about the proposed hike, the closest will be on Feb. 13 in Framingham at the Memorial Building at 6:30pm. You can also comment via this online survey about the MBTA fare hikes.

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The more things change in Wellesley…

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Thanks to Swellesley reader Brad Bernard for sharing these clippings from a 1968 edition of the Boston Herald Traveler featuring a profile of Wellesley. Fifty years later, the population of this “prestige town” isn’t much larger, though the median annual income has risen a tad from $11.4K to $172K.

The article notes that it wasn’t uncommon for someone to die and have their obit mention that they had been on the Wellesley Country Club waiting list. The town was apparently reeling from reports of Wellesley High students smoking… marijuana! In the ’60s!

If you zoom in on the article, you’ll see that Wellesley’s big problems at the time were:

  • Traffic
  • Parking
  • Transportation
  • Design
  • Taxes
  • Construction

Now where have we heard about those issues of late?

herald wellesley 1herald wellesley

These Wellesley holiday trains run on schedule

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You’ve still got time to check out the Holiday Junction electric train set-up, including a Red Sox train, at Faber’s Rug in Wellesley Square.

The annual display has taken place since 2005 and runs this time around until early January. It’s supported by the Wellesley Historical Society and member Allan Cook, who owns the trains.

holiday junction, wellesley
Bob Faber, left, of Faber’s Rug,  with train set owner Allan Cook. Photo courtesy of Martin Padley

 

Train schedule:

Monday through Saturday

10:00 a.m. to11:15 a.m. and from 12:15 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.
1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. and from 3:45 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Red Sox train departs for a 15-minute trip at 10:00, 10:30, 11:00 a.m. and at 12:15, 1:30, 2:00, 2:30, 3:35, 4:15, 4:45 p.m.

The trolley car runs off and on throughout the day as does the handcar

Amusement Park Hours:

The amusement park rides will be open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.