The downward slide of MBTA ridership this year

I don't dissagree that fare increases may have caused a reduction in ridership, but you also have to ask yourself how ridership is tracked by the MBTA - which is to say very poorly. Before implementation of the electronic fare gates it was pretty much based on the often broken counters on the old turnstyles or estimated from fare collection. An example of how accurate those systems were is that when the electronic fare gates were installed on the Blue line, renevenue on that line jumped nearly 30%. The numerous stories over the past year about the new security systems catching turnstyle jumpers or corrupt MBTA employees is another indication. Furthermore, its unclear how the MBTA tracked ridership on heavy rail during the reconstruction of multiple red line stations (e.g. Savin Hill) and the complete shut-down of the Matapan trolly during 2007. These stations were completely replaced by shuttle busses for months on end. Similarly, its unclear how effective the new system is at tracking actual ridership on the Green Line, as, from personal experience, I can tell you that the trolly drivers often allow people with Charlie Cards to board at the rear doors without swiping their pass because the train is overcrowded (can you blame them?).