Local Columns - Senior Lines
Getting around Boston with the Charlie Card
By Rose Safran
I have a love-hate attitude towards subways - all subways - whether in Boston, Washington, New York City or abroad. Most are dirty, crowded, poorly lit, require walking down or up steps leading to a dungeon-like atmosphere and require a certain amount of apprehension such as avoidance of eye-contact. But, they are efficient, fast and infinitely cheaper than urban taxis, which these days are manned by too many drivers who don't know the turf in which they work.As a senior taking public transportation in Boston, I generally dropped my senior rate (35 cents) into the coin slot at the booth manned by an employee of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). Sometimes I bought a token and went through a turnstile. I just said I was a senior and received no questions. I never had to show an ID on subway, bus or commuter rail.
Last year, cash was eliminated at many stations that I used, and the booths with live personnel were closed. In their place came a machine, which spouts out the Charlie Card, and apart from it, in another area, swinging doors, which open when the Charlie Card is applied (it's tapped, not inserted), enabling entry to the subway system. Most first-time users of the system are confused - understandably. If you were lucky - as I was, the first time I had to use this system - an MBTA attendant standing nearby helped me. But, I had to pay $1.25 instead of 35 cents. Anyhow, I had my plastic Charlie Card with its lively pictures.
Here's how the Charlie Card works. In stations with the new fare equipment, there are mechanisms called fare vending machines in which you use your Charlie card, select "add value" or "quick ticket," choose your payment method, take your change, if any, ask for a receipt and get one if you want it. Then, you walk to the place, the fare gate, where turnstiles no longer exist, place your Charlie card on a gadget - it's called a black target - after which swinging doors open, permitting you to enter the area from which you can catch an "inbound" or "outbound" train. The doors close right after you, permitting the next person to use the contraption. When you have used up the amount of money applied and tap your Charlie Card, a notice flashes that your card lacks enough money and entry is refused you and you have to return to the fare vending machine and apply more money. It's a pay-in-advance system.
When I initially received my Charlie Card, I asked, "How do I get the senior rate with this?"
"You don't. You have to get a senior card." Where do I get that? "Downtown Crossing." Where else? "Back Bay." I didn't ask where in Back Bay.
In 2006, I kept paying regular fare, along with most riders - heavily students. Recently, however, when I went to use my Charlie Card, I found that the fare had jumped to $1.75 one way - the 2007 cost. That's $3.50 round trip. And more, if you want to stay underground in cold weather, rather than travel short Boston distances on foot as I do in this "walking" town. (Also, it seems a lot of money for all those working folks who have to use the subway daily!) The 50-cent rate jump did it. I had some time. I decided to go to Downtown Crossing. It cost another $1.75 to get there. At Downtown Crossing, I had to exit the train area to find a small office dealing with those requiring senior identification. I entered. Eight chairs, all but one occupied.
"How long is this card good for?" I asked.
"Five years," said one of the chair occupants. I sat down.
"You have to sign a sheet," said another chair occupant.
I rose, went to a desk, put my name on the list and sat down again until my name was called. Photo ID was required along with my telephone number, address, etc. My picture was taken, after which I was told, "Go to the white door outside and your card will be ready."
I followed instructions, found the "white door" - joining a line of the others who had preceded me, as a young girl opened and closed the door, one by one, connecting faces with the cards. Finally, I had my Senior Card. It has no pretty Charlie pictures. It just says "T" with a big black capital and "Senior ID," has a 2011 expiration date and a faded-looking photo. Although it doesn't say it's a Charlie card, it is used as one. The senior fare for 2007 went up Jan. 1 - it's now 60 cents one way for the subway and 40 cents for the bus. At stations where the new equipment is not yet installed, cash is still acceptable.
P.S. I kept my pretty Charlie card. It will be useful to any friend who travels with me. It's good, when funded, on buses, subways and commuter rail lines - as is my senior ID card. There are monthly passes available too - for seniors. Any senior who is a regular commuter will need two cards - a senior ID card and a senior monthly pass. But that's another story.
