The CharlieCard update that never was.
Some time ago I wrote about the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) allowing people to purchase passes online. The article can be found here. In the article I wrote that you had to tap your card at a fare vending machine after 5am the following day in order to complete the transaction and use the pass. Until recently I thought that this also included MBTA Buses... unfortunately this is not the case. As it turns out, the MBTA Buses (including the fare boxes on the Green-line trains) are not connected to the internet and as such, cannot be updated.
I emailed the Carlie Card Customer Service email to find out what people can do to avoid being caught with an unactivated Carlie Card on the 1st of the month. The follow is a transcript of the emails sent.
"Hello,
I'm using the MyCharlie Account Center to add Passes to my CharlieCard. My trip in the mornings begins with a bus. My question is, if I purchase a Link Pass before the start of a new month will it update and be recorded on the card's chip the next time I'm at the Subway Station's farebox for use the next month? As an example, I purchase a Link Pass on October 28 for November, on October 29th when I tap my card at the subway station will it be synced and ready for November 1st? Also, with recurring passes, when they are purchased, when are they synced to the card's chip?Thank you very much for your time on this question. I appreciate it.
Aaron"
"Hi Aaron when you purchase a monthly pass it starts the first of that month and ends the last day October monthly pass starts October 1-31. Also if you add a pass online after the 15th of the month it will be for the following month so yes if you add a pass on October 28 it is good on November 1.
Thank You,
Marie
Charlie Card Customer Service"
It seems, from the email, that if you purchase online and tap your Charlie Card at an online fare box (at a MBTA Train Station) after the 15th and before the 1st of the new month, you'll have uninterrupted service.
Tapping your card at either of these locations will update your card.
Good News from the MBTA, Nice for a Change.
Last week the MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) announced that it would allow its passengers to add value and passes to their electronic fare system via the internet. This was originally advertised when the CharlieCard (a MIFARE-based, contact-less, smart card fare system) was originally introduced to all MBTA services (sans Commuter Rail, Ferry Boat, and The Ride) in 2006.
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- MBTA CharlieCard Page
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- The CharlieCard
I must admit that I was very skeptical of this online system, but I figured I would give it a try. You can access the service by pointing your browser here: https://charliecard.mbta.com/CharlieCardWebProgram/pages/loginIV.jsf
Once here, you can create an account rather simply by just registering your card (each CharlieCard has a serial number printed in the lower left hand side, on the front of the card) and entering your contact information. If you wish you can manage all your family's CharlieCards using one account, which is easy since you must add a nickname to each card you register. The main advantage, other than adding value, is that you can have the stored value transferred to a new card if your old one is damaged, lost, or stolen. That by itself may be enough to entice those who have a habit of frequently misplacing their belongings (like ME!).
Edit: For all you web 2.0 fans, the MBTA is now available on the Google Maps website! Just go to http://maps.google.com and under "Get Directions" choose "By Public Transit".
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