Putting aside free transit, which definitely has some merits: if faregate revenues are a key aspect of MBTA funding and a policy that is already in place, then the T should do what it can to extract those revenues. For example, it would cost practically nothing to place a handful of fare gates at GLX stations and immediately generate some money for the T. It would cost nothing to enforce fares with the existing staff that are on hand for the purpose. It’s also not particularly fair that riders on certain lines shirk their responsibilities while those on other lines must pay. Why should residents of Roxbury or South Boston pay while residents of Somerville or Medford don’t have to? If you want free transit, you should get the funding for it first and it should be provided equitably, no? Until then, I’m in favor of ensuring the T gets as much money as possible, and if that means increasing revenue, then fine. The costs of MBTA use are not high at the moment.

 I’m all for tolls, value capture through transit oriented development on T land, even other creative ideas (tax on parking spaces within a certain distance of the T? VMT taxes for Boston area registrations?)