T pass carriers who beat the token booth lines may get a run for their money by the end of this year when the MBTA switches from tokens to an automated fare collecting system using reusable “smart cards.”
The new cards will store a customizable balance that users can add to with cash, credit or debit cards at computerized vending machines in subway stations, said Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority spokesman Joe Pesaturo.
The $120 million plan will also eliminate token booths and replace fare collectors with “customer service agents” to help passengers navigate the subway and provide “another set of eyes” to help police officers, he said.
“This is all about customer service,” Pesaturo said. “Another key element is that it’s also good for employee morale because who wants to spend eight hours a day in a booth?”
Passengers will be able to check their cards’ balances on the machines. The cards, usable on subways and buses, will expedite service as long as people put on large enough balances, Pesaturo said.
Boston is one of the last major cities to switch to automated fares, following the leads of New York City, Chicago and Washington, D.C.
“We first started planning for this seven years ago, but during that time technology kept changing,” Pesaturo said. “Now we’re going to have the most advanced technology equipment and system that’s available.”
The MBTA’s capital investment program is funding the project – not this year’s fare increase, Pesaturo said.
“And fares are not changing,” he added. “The general manager said the T would not consider another fare increase for another two years.”
Monthly and weekly passes will still be available because they offer a “built-in discount” for those who ride the T everyday, Pesaturo said. But he said the advantage of the smart cards for riders will be that users can put as much or as little on the cards without having to commit to a month’s worth of rides.
Some T riders agree the new system will be useful for the occasional rider but not for daily commuters or visitors.
“Generally, I think it’s a good idea except for one-time passengers or people staying here briefly on business trips,” said Danuta Charland, an administrative assistant at the Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. “For people with passes on a monthly basis, like me – well, there’s no point.”
A 27-year-old bouncer from Boston who would only identify himself as Al said as a daily commuter, he would not use the smart card in lieu of his monthly pass and called it “inconvenient” for visitors.
“If you’re just trying to hop on a bus and you’ve got to hook up a card for one bus ride – that’s annoying,” he said. Both said the MBTA should be focusing more on improving bus systems.
Engineers have completed testing the machines and the project has entered the early manufacturing stage with equipment now being produced in North Billerica; the first automated fare machines will appear in downtown stations at the end of 2004.
Part of the multimillion dollar budget for the project also includes developing a marketing campaign to inform T riders of the changeover, Pesaturo said.
“Anyone who uses public transport will be exposed to the marketing campaign,” Pesaturo said.
Customers interviewed in focus groups suggested that vending machines be available in many different languages and opened up the idea of storing value on a trip basis instead of a monetary one, he added.
Pesaturo said the MBTA will not hire more staff to repair and maintain the machines nor has it determined if the machines will be installed at outdoor stops.