December 8, 2006

New MBTA CharlieCard and fare structure effective Jan. 1

MGH Commuter Services is closely working with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to help ensure a smooth transition for MGH commuters before the MBTA initiates its 2007 CharlieCard and fare changes. Beginning Jan. 1, the MBTA will implement a 25 percent fare increase for most MBTA passes. To help shoulder the burden of the increase MGH Commuter Services also has raised its subsidy by approximately 25 percent.

Also starting in January, the MBTA will implement a new, plastic CharlieCard for all local bus and subway travel. The new card is a permanent card that remains active as long as the employee continues his or her payroll deductions. Therefore, CharlieCard users should not dispose of the card at the end of each month. Charlie tickets for all of the commuter rail zones and boat passes will remain the same until converted later in 2007. Two new inner/outer express bus passes, along with a Zone 1A pass, which is the first stop on commuter rails from North/South Stations, also will be available for January 2007. Employees selecting these new passes should do so before Dec.15.

Employees enrolled in the subway, combo or combo plus programs at the MGH will be issued a new MBTA Monthly LinkPass in December for use beginning in January. Individual subway, combo or combo plus passes no longer will be available. The LinkPass offers unlimited travel on the local bus and rapid transit network. Employees using the subway, combo or combo plus programs automatically will be converted in PeopleSoft to the Monthly LinkPass so that no action is necessary. The MBTA card serial number will be attached to the employee's PeopleSoft record. Employees who use the commuter rail, boat or new inner/outer express bus programs will continue to receive passes each month until the MBTA converts those programs to the new CharlieCards.

For more information about the MBTA pass programs, access www.mbta.com. For questions about the rate increase and the MGH/PHS subsidy, call MGH Commuter Services at (617) 724-6588.