By the numbers

This installment of "By the Numbers" looks at the MBTA's history, focusing in particular on the recent increase in crime and cost.



107 Years since America's first subway (the Green Line, between Boston Common and Boylston) was established

>175 Towns and cities within the MBTA service district



>225,200 People who board the Green Line daily (the most heavily trafficked Rapid Transit line)

55,900 People who board the Blue Line daily (the least heavily trafficked Rapid Transit line)



>125 Violent assaults on the T in 2002

152 In 2003



41% Increase in arrests by MBTA police between 2002 (893) and 2003 (1,265)

186 Arrests made by MBTA police so far in 2004



>0 Murders on the T in 1999

1 In 2000

1 In 2001

1 In 2002

3 In 2003



$4 billion MBTA's budget gap for 2004

$1.25 Current cost of one T token

$1.00 Cost of one T token in 2003

$.85 Cost of one T token in 1999



$721,464,871 MBTA expenses in 1991

$1,176,737,159 MBTA expenses in 2004 (projected)



$120 million Cost of replacing the T's current token system with a reusable "smart card" system (planned for the end of 2004)



The statistics cited above come from the Associated Press, The Boston Globe, BostonChannel.com, MBTA.com, and The Daily Free Press.