MBTA officials will head to Newton tomorrow night to hold the first of 20 state-wide community meetings organized to hear feedback from the public about proposed fare increases and service reductions. 

The meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the War Memorial at Newton City Hall. According to an email sent out last week by MBTA Spokesman Joe Pesaturo, MBTA Acting General Manager Jonathan Davis is expected to attend the Newton meeting tomorrow night. 

Two proposals are currently on the table; one scenario includes a 35 percent fare increase while the other includes a 43 percent fare increase. 

While both proposals include service reductions for buses in Newton, the second scenario would eliminate all but two bus lines that run though the city.

Both proposals also look at raising parking rates and will eliminate Commuter Rail service on the weekends. 

Local parent groups, including the Oak Hill PTO, have expressed concern about the potential bus cuts. Last week, a number of local elected officials sent a letter to MassDOT Secretary Richard Davey asking MassDOT and the MBTA to reconsider the proposed service reductions. 

Comments on the proposed changes can also be made by emailing fareproposal@mbta.com, calling 617-222-3200/TTY 617-222-5146 or by mailing a letter to:

MBTA attn: Fare Proposal Com.
10 Park Plaza
Boston, MA 02116