Thursday, 4:30 PM
MBTA gets the word out on new fare cards
By Mac Daniel, Globe Staff
MBTA officials rolled out their public education campaign today to help smooth the changeover to new automated fare cards starting Monday.
About 350 customer service representatives, plus more than 30 other T staffers, plan to fan out across the system to hand out the plastic CharlieCards and to reinforce that they are different from paper CharlieTickets.
The cards will still have to be loaded with money at machines.
When fare hikes take effect in January, it will be cheaper to use the CharlieCard. The one-way fare on subway trains increase from $1.25 to $1.70, but to $2 for commuters who don't use the automated card. The one-way bus fare goes from 90 cents to $1.25, but to $1.50 without using the CharlieCard.
T officials also hope the CharlieCard will speed riders through the turnstiles because they can just tap it on a card reader.
