Gov. Patrick Shuts Down MBTA Fare Hike Hearings

Gov. Deval Patrick is pulling the plug on the MBTA’s remaining fare hike hearings.

A day after lawmakers and citizens argued against an increase at the first of what was to be a dozen hearings this month, the governor announced Tuesday he was suspending them.

Aides say they won’t take place until after former John Hancock official David D’Alessandro completes a top-to-bottom review of the region’s largest transit agency.

Former MBTA General Manager Daniel Grabauskas says the administration was pushing for a fare hike as soon as January. Administration aides counter the governor sought a 19-cent gas tax increase and then $160 million in budget funding to stave off a fare hike.

Lawmakers complain they agreed to hike the sales tax from 5 percent to 6.26 percent in part to keep transit fares constant.