The MBTA board announced yesterday it will receive more than $400,000 from Turner Broadcasting Company in repayment for the company’s botched ad campaign that temporarily disrupted service Jan. 31.
MBTA General Manager Daniel Grabauskas said the MBTA received $182,426 for expenses incurred, $132,772 for “additional restitution” and $315,198 for future “homeland security and community initiatives” from the company.
Members of the T Rider’s Union also in attendance demanded the MBTA should be held accountable to fix several problems with its recently implemented CharlieCard system.
Because CharlieCards do not give receipts when riders tap the card on payment scanners, it is difficult for them to see if the right amount of money has been deducted, Union member Lisa Edwards said, adding she plans to conduct a survey to determine how much money riders are losing because of the new fare-collection system.
The problem, she said, is one of several that will continue and worsen in the long term if nothing is done now.
“I know it is a new system, and we need to give it time to weed through the problems,” she said.
MBTA board members said they would arrange a meeting to specifically address the Union’s concerns.
Union member John Carter said he recognizes the board has a tough job ahead, but said it must work with riders to improve the system.
After the meeting, Union organizer Lee Matsueda said although the new system has its flaws, he is pleased the Board is actively working to improve them.
“Before, board members were silent. Now, they are getting more involved and asking questions,” Carter said.
The board also showed a PowerPoint presentation touting the CharlieCard’s success, citing the 575,000 cards currently in circulation.
During the CharlieCard’s first month, the MBTA focused on spreading the word about the card, but it will now focus on eliminating the remaining people who do not use the card and must pay $2 instead of $1.70.
The board made future plans to look at data focused exclusively on the CharlieCard so it could better track the card’s development.
