Vigil At Mass. State House Against T Fare Hikes

Opponents of a 23 percent fare hike proposed for the MBTA have begun what they say will be a 24-hour vigil in front of the State House.

Caroline Casey, a spokeswoman for the Boston-area Youth Organizing Project, said some protesters plan to stay until the T's board of directors meets on Wednesday. That's when the board is expected to vote on fare increases and service cuts recommended by transit officials.

Casey said the protesters are asking the state to take action to cover the MBTA's deficit so the fare increases would not be necessary.

Protester Adanarys Barragan is a local college student who relies on the T.

"I won't be able to get to school because it'll be too expensive to go back and forth every day," Barragan said, "'cause I use the T every day."

Gov. Deval Patrick has repeatedly called for a long-term solution for the T's financial woes.

With reporting by The Associated Press and the WBUR Newsroom