Patrick-Murray Administration Announces MBTA Charlie Card Expansion to MetroWest Regional Transit Authority

BOSTON - Wednesday, October 27, 2010 - As part of the Patrick-Murray Administration's commitment to transportation reform and a focus on customer service, the MBTA today announced a first ever initiative to extend its automated fare collection system - the Charlie Card - to the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA). MWRTA customers will be able to use the Charlie Card in a seamless connection between MetroWest bus service and MBTA services including the Green Line.

"When we made transportation reform a top priority, first and foremost we had the customer in mind, and the extension of the Charlie Card to MetroWest will make a real difference for commuters," said Governor Deval Patrick.

"With thousands of people traveling by bus or rail in regions across the state, expanding and improving customer service for the Metrowest region will offer more commuters with the benefits of a seamless system," said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray.

"The MBTA and our regional transit authorities are responding to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor's goal of creating a unified transportation system that is safe and has a customer focus, and this interoperability program is yet another great example," said Transportation Secretary and CEO Jeffrey Mullan.
Similar to MBTA CharlieCard users, MetroWest customers will be able to add stored value at all ticket selling devices and via the MBTA website.

The MBTA, in partnership with MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA), recently introduced a program to examine the interoperability of fare collections through the use of MBTA CharlieCards on Metro West bus routes. Over the past 18 months, MBTA staff has been working with MWRTA to provide customers with a seamless connection between MetroWest bus service and the MBTA's Green Line.

"We are excited to share the T's automated fare collection system with MetroWest bus customers," said MBTA General Manager Rich Davey. "This is a smart customer service initiative that will provide riders with quick and easy access to service with a tap of a CharlieCard."

"I am very pleased that Newton is a part of this exciting new program," Newton Mayor Setti Warren said. "Increasing the user-friendliness of our public transportation systems is a priority, and I thank Governor Patrick and General Manager Davey for their leadership on this project."

MetroWest Regional Transit Authority is the first of 11 RTAs to participate in the Interoperability Program requiring the purchase and installation of MBTA CharlieCard compatible fare boxes on their vehicles.
"Many residents of the MetroWest utilize both the MBTA and MWRTA and this improvement will allow riders to seamlessly go between the two systems," said Representative David Linsky. "This is a common-sense improvement, that puts customers first."

Automated fare collections will be expanded to additional RTAs. MWRTA provides bus service on 11 routes serving Ashland, Framingham, Holliston, Hopkinton, Marlborough, Natick, Sherborn, Southborough, and Wayland.

Introduced in 2006, the MBTA's Automated Fare Collection system (AFC) is provided by Scheid & Bachmann, a USA based company headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts.
MassDOT is the new, unified transportation organization created in 2009 under the historic reform legislation passed by the Legislature and signed into law by Governor Patrick. MassDOT's four divisions are focused on delivering safe and efficient transportation services across the Commonwealth.

For transportation news and updates, visit the MassDOT website at www.mass.gov/massdot, the MassDOT blog at www.mass.gov/blog/transportation or follow MassDOT on twitter at www.twitter.com/massdot.