MBTA Approves Plan To Boost Fares, Cut Service [VIDEO]

After all of the talk, public hearings, and protests over the past three months, the MBTA Board voted Wednesday afternoon in an attempt to close a projected $161 million deficit in the next fiscal year.

Board members approved a plan in a 4-1 vote that would raise most subway fares by 30 cents, bus fares by 25 cents, and commuter rail fares by at least $1.25. 

Meanwhile, some cuts in service -- mainly involving bus routes, The Ride, and the commuter rail -- were also approved.

Many people showed up at Wednesday's hearing and were given a chance to talk during a one-hour "public speaking" session before the vote. They also chanted a chorus of "Shame on You!" after the vote was taken.

The plan that was approved was the third budget proposal after . Those plans were presented in dozens of public hearings across the state where they faced strong opposition from the public.

Meanwhile, several groups continued to protest this latest budget plan, including an  into Wednesday morning.

An "Occupy" group was also planning to hold a "people's hearing" outside the State House today at 3 p.m., followed by a 5 p.m. rally and 8 p.m. vigil.

Wednesday's vote takes care of the projected deficit for the fiscal year beginning July 1, but does not get rid of billions of dollars in debt the agency was given in 2000. Critics have said the state should bail out the troubled transportation department.

A recent Boston Globe poll showed that 40 percent of Massachusetts voters supported a state bailout for the MBTA. 

in a poll on Westwood Patch last week. How do you feel about the MBTA's approval?