MetroWest residents might soon think twice about taking a Friday night trip to Fenway Park on the commuter rail, or even about accepting a job in Boston.    That’s because as part of its plan to get out of the red, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority said it will likely raise commuter rail fares about 40 percent and eliminate weekend and late night service.

But local officials and legislators, not to mention commuters, say MBTA cuts and fare hikes will hobble MetroWest and take a sizable chunk from peoples’ pocketbooks.

“I have serious concerns about limiting the access to affordable public transportation and the impacts it will have on the quality of life of our residents and the economic vitality of our region,” said Sen. Karen Spilka, D-Ashland.

The MBTA, $5.2 billion in debt, recently proposed the first fare increase in five years.

“The MBTA is by no means pleased with the prospect of having to cut service, but we are struggling to deal with a $161 million deficit in next year’s budget,” said T spokesman Joe Pesaturo.

There are two MBTA proposals to reduce that deficit, both of which would eliminate all weekend commuter rail service as well as weekday service after 10 p.m. One would raise fares by 35 percent and the other by 43 percent.

The T faces the highest debt burden of any transit agency in the country, its officials said.

As part of 24 public forums about the fare hikes, the MBTA has scheduled a MetroWest hearing in Framingham on Feb. 14 in the Memorial Building.

Officials will make a decision about fare increases after the forums end in March.

In the meantime, MetroWest commuters are already worrying.

“I’m thinking about starting to drive to work but that’s expensive,” said Framingham commuter Arun Radhakrishnan last week, stepping off the 6:31 p.m. train from Boston. “I feel I’m stuck with no choice.”

“We certainly understand the important role that the commuter rail plays in many lives,” Pesaturo said.

MBTA data shows that almost 5,000 people commute by train daily into Boston from MetroWest.

According to the state Department of Transportation, commuter rail ridership would drop by 20 percent with the proposed service cuts and fare increases.

There are an average of 3,300 weekend trips on the Worcester line and 2,300 on the Franklin line, Pesaturo said. One person traveling one way equals one trip.

On weekdays after 10 p.m. there are about 160 trips on the Franklin line and 170 on the Worcester/Framingham line.

MetroWest residents might soon think twice about taking a Friday night trip to Fenway Park on the commuter rail, or even about accepting a job in Boston.    That’s because as part of its plan to get out of the red, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority said it will likely raise commuter rail fares about 40 percent and eliminate weekend and late night service.

But local officials and legislators, not to mention commuters, say MBTA cuts and fare hikes will hobble MetroWest and take a sizable chunk from peoples’ pocketbooks.

“I have serious concerns about limiting the access to affordable public transportation and the impacts it will have on the quality of life of our residents and the economic vitality of our region,” said Sen. Karen Spilka, D-Ashland.

The MBTA, $5.2 billion in debt, recently proposed the first fare increase in five years.

“The MBTA is by no means pleased with the prospect of having to cut service, but we are struggling to deal with a $161 million deficit in next year’s budget,” said T spokesman Joe Pesaturo.

There are two MBTA proposals to reduce that deficit, both of which would eliminate all weekend commuter rail service as well as weekday service after 10 p.m. One would raise fares by 35 percent and the other by 43 percent.

The T faces the highest debt burden of any transit agency in the country, its officials said.

As part of 24 public forums about the fare hikes, the MBTA has scheduled a MetroWest hearing in Framingham on Feb. 14 in the Memorial Building.

Officials will make a decision about fare increases after the forums end in March.

In the meantime, MetroWest commuters are already worrying.

“I’m thinking about starting to drive to work but that’s expensive,” said Framingham commuter Arun Radhakrishnan last week, stepping off the 6:31 p.m. train from Boston. “I feel I’m stuck with no choice.”

“We certainly understand the important role that the commuter rail plays in many lives,” Pesaturo said.

MBTA data shows that almost 5,000 people commute by train daily into Boston from MetroWest.

According to the state Department of Transportation, commuter rail ridership would drop by 20 percent with the proposed service cuts and fare increases.

There are an average of 3,300 weekend trips on the Worcester line and 2,300 on the Franklin line, Pesaturo said. One person traveling one way equals one trip.

On weekdays after 10 p.m. there are about 160 trips on the Franklin line and 170 on the Worcester/Framingham line.

Framingham State University last week started a new shuttle service to take students to the West Natick commuter rail stop.

“I suppose it’s a necessary evil,” said Framingham commuter Jeff Tarlin about fare hikes. “It seems you have to do it.”

But others aren’t so sure.

“There’s got to be something wrong that they would increase the fares that much,” said commuter Susan Horan.

There is something wrong, said Paul Matthews, executive director of the 495/MetroWest Partnership, a public-private group focused on economic development in MetroWest.

“It’s a financial crisis that’s a decade in the making,” he said.

The MBTA’s debt is the result of a poor funding system until 2000, rising operating costs and $3.6 billion of debt inherited from state transportation projects, namely the Big Dig.

But Matthews said the proposed short-term solution to reduce the debt will hurt MetroWest.

“The commuter rail is an economic lifeblood to and from this region,” he said.

Overall MBTA ridership increased nearly 6 percent last year, with 1.3 million trips taken every weekday. Matthews said rising turnpike tolls and gas prices have prompted many to turn to public transportation.

“In a sense, they’re held hostage to the rate increase,” said Bellingham Town Administrator Denis Fraine. Cities and towns along the commuter rail lines also contribute money to the MBTA.

Under the first scenario, a one-way ride from Framingham to Boston would jump from $6.25 to $9. A monthly pass would increase from $210 to $282.

From Franklin, a ride to South Station would cost $9.75 and a pass $306.

In the second scenario, which raises fares less but cuts more services, a ticket from Framingham would cost $8.25, and a pass $259. A ticket from Franklin would cost $9 and a pass $282.

As program director for the T Riders Union, Lee Matsueda encourages people to attend the public hearings.

“We talk about public transit as an economic engine,” Matsueda said. “I would expect the Framingham people to sort of stand up and say the same thing.”

Matthews said the MBTA shouldn’t be left to solve its financial crisis by itself. The solution should include a larger discussion about all transportation statewide, he said.

“There is a phenomenal correlation between transportation infrastructure and economic development and employment,” he said.

“I understand that the MBTA needs to solve a serious fiscal problem but these proposed cuts to service will leave commuters in the MetroWest who depend on public transportation stranded without any other options,” she said.

(Laura Krantz can be reached at 508-626-4429 or . Follow her on Twitter @laurakrantzmwdn.)