MTBA's Growing Pains
The switch from tokens to pre-paid cards on the MBTA subway system isn't going that smoothly. Cards (the new system is very similar to the one in use in DC) issued by vending machines are not accepted by turnstiles at stations that have not been updated yet, often requiring that riders buy another fare. The T has been posting signs that point out which stations are Charlie Card compatible. But for some reason, they have been unable to keep these signs up to date, causing all kinds of confusion. The T has now asked for additional money (apparently they didn't have enough to begin with) from it's Board in order to buy additional equipment needed to complete the switchover. The saga will continue to play over the fall – the switch is expected to be complete by the end of year. One can only imagine that more complaints will follow.
Post Author:
ebs | 10:56 AM |
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A point of clarification: Currently, the MBTA is rolling out new fare equipment along with CharlieTickets, which are very similar to the magnetic strip cards of other systems. Once that deployment is complete, the MBTA will roll out CharlieCards as well, which are smart cards which a user simply taps at a turnstile or farebox to use. Unlike CharlieTickets, CharlieCards will be able to hold both passes (i.e. monthly) and stored values simultaneously.
More info: http://www.mbta.com/projects_underway/afc/charlieticket_info.asp
