Bostonist: Slowing You Down, Because Charlie Wasn't Enough

abc

Sun, 08 Oct 2006 23:12:26 -0500

Ah yes, "the rollout process hasn't been great, but when it is finally fully implemented it will definitely improve things"....Same thing they said about the Big Dig. Keep drinking the T kool-aid, folks!

Eric

Fri, 06 Oct 2006 14:42:28 -0500

I agree that the complaints about slowdown are a bit much. You know what used to slow me down??? Getting my monthly pass at a few select locations (none of which were located at my local T stop)...now I can get that at my T stop or any T stop. Also, I find that just like anything else in this town, it will always be worse in the places were tourists (or people from the suburbs) congregate. I don't see much trouble at Stony Brook or State every day of the week.

matt

Fri, 06 Oct 2006 14:40:21 -0500

Automated fare collection on the trains is fine, but what's up with the new buss payment methods? All those do is slow everything down considerably. I can see the charlie card making everything faster eventually, but I don't think the new buss system makes sense at all.

N.

Fri, 06 Oct 2006 12:30:28 -0500

I totally agree w/ Steve above. Any modern transit system should have automated fare collection. Yes, the rollout process hasn't been great, but when it is finally fully implemented it will definitely improve things. And once they introduce CharlieCards next year, it should be even better, since anyone w/ a CharlieCard can just wave their card in front of the reader instead of having to wait for the machine to read the card and spit it out. I'm so sick of hearing people complain about this. There are plenty of things wrong w/ the T, but let's not be short-sighted and at least acknowledge when they take a step in the right direction.

kirs

Fri, 06 Oct 2006 11:49:19 -0500

God I fuckin' hate Romney. And I hate the charlie card. It's even worse on the buses- you can't just slide and go anymore, you gotta wait for that ridiculous machine to spit your card back out. As for the bag searches- if some T-worker stops me, I'll just walk. I could use the exercise anyway. (And I love redjar's comment on one of his pics- "After taking this picture I was told photos were not allowed on MBTA property. I asked why and was rudely told, 'You ever heard of 9-11?'." Classic.

Steve

Fri, 06 Oct 2006 11:37:51 -0500

Your attack on the Charlie ticket system is quite unfair. Yes, for a single ride ticket the machines take longer than for receiving a single token from a teller. Once the system is in place at all stations and T trains then residents of Boston will be able to get one card with a multiple ride charge and conveniently keep the card in their wallet for future rides. I personally think its a positive step forward. The "random" bag search is not.