Report: Mass. Transportation System Needs $15B

The state transportation secretary says an MBTA fare increase could be in the works following a report that says Massachusetts' aging highway, bridge and transit network needs more than $15 billion in repairs.

The report released Wednesday by the independent Transportation Advisory Committee says the state's highway system is so deep in debt that it must borrow to meet basic operating expenses, including $145 million in payroll, rent, highway striping and other annual costs.

Secretary of Transportation Richard Davey tells The Boston Globe that with the MBTA facing a projected $161 million deficit for the coming year an "at least modest" fare increase should be discussed.

The committee is a roundtable of academics, activists, business leaders, engineers and strategists who advise the transportation secretary.