Protest Ends MBTA Finance Committee Meeting

A meeting of a state transportation board has ended quickly after a noisy demonstration by opponents of proposed fare increases and service cuts on the MBTA.

The Finance Committee of the T's Board of Directors was scheduled to meet Tuesday to discuss the agency's budget and other matters, but after about 100 or more protesters crowded into the boardroom at the state transportation building, the panel decided it could not get any work done and adjourned the meeting.

The panel was not scheduled to vote on the fare hikes. MBTA acting General Manager Jonathan Davis says he expects to make a final recommendation to the full board by week's end.

Tuesday's meeting was open to the public and no attempt was made to remove the demonstrators, who continued meeting after the panel adjourned.