MBTA unveils new fare card
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority unveiled its new "Charlie Card" today which is designed to slowly phase out the use of subway tokens over the next couple of years.
The plastic Charlie Card, which will make its first appearance in 2006, will automatically debit the cost of the passenger’s ride at the turnstile or fare box. Transit riders will be able to add value to the card at machines located at MBTA stations.
Tokens will still be accepted as the new program is phased in over the next 24 months, it was announced today at a press conference.
To mark the debut of the new system, Governor Mitt Romney and The Kingston Trio performed a rendition of the group’s 1959 hit “Charlie on the MTA,” which inspired the name of the new fare card.
The new Charlie Card will be preceded by the “Charlie Ticket,” a paper version of the card, which will be used as the MBTA phases in the automated fare collection system. 