MBTA Ridership Down Very Slightly In July

The MBTA is reporting a slight drop in ridership in July, the first month since an average 23 percent fare hike took effect.

The T said Thursday that average weekday trips during the month were one-tenth of a point below July 2011 levels.

Ridership on buses, commuter rail and ferries rose, while subway passenger trips declined slightly.

Also down were trips on The Ride, a service for disabled passengers. Fares for most users of the service doubled on July 1 from $2 to $4.

Acting General Manager Jonathan Davis says he's pleased by the July ridership figures, but noted it could be months before the full effects of fare hikes and service cuts are known.

Ridership had been forecast to drop by as much as 5.5 percent after the changes.