Lynn Partners with MBTA to Increase Access to CharlieCards

For Immediate Release:
December 5, 2019

Media Contact:
lisa.battiston@dot.state.ma.us

Lynn Partners with MBTA to Increase Access to CharlieCards
CharlieCards now available at Lynn City Hall

BOSTON – Today the MBTA announced an initiative with the City of Lynn to increase the availability of CharlieCards to residents who rely on public transportation.

Under the initiative, free no-balance CharlieCards are available at Lynn City Hall located at 3 City Hall Square. City Hall office hours can be found on their website.

The City of Lynn joins a growing list of Cities and Towns partnering with the MBTA to increase access to CharlieCards:

• The City of Chelsea partnered with the MBTA in January 2019 with CharlieCards pre-loaded with $5 as well as free no-balance CharlieCards available in the Treasury Office of Chelsea City Hall.
• The Town of Watertown partnered with the MBTA in July 2019 with free no-balance CharlieCards available in Watertown Town Hall and the Watertown Free Public Library.
• The City of Salem partnered with the MBTA in August 2019 with free no-balance CharlieCards available at the Mayor Jean A. Levesque Community Life Center, Salem Public Library, and Salem’s Parking Department.
• The Town of Winthrop partnered with the MBTA in September 2019 with free no-balance CharlieCards available at the Winthrop Public Library.

“We appreciate the City of Lynn for collaborating with the T and helping to increase access to CharlieCards for our customers,” said MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak. “Better CharlieCard access within the communities we serve allows the T to be even more accessible for MBTA customers, and we thank all of our city partners for their participation in this initiative.”

“It is great to partner with the MBTA to provide residents of Lynn with increased access to CharlieCards, which will save commuters time and decrease their commuting costs,” said Mayor Thomas M. McGee. “Public transportation is vital part of our community and we will continue to work for more frequent and reliable services with affordable fares for our residents.”

“This initiative will make cheaper fares more accessible to the residents of the North Shore who rely on the MBTA to get to work, school, medical appointments, and childcare,” said State Senator Brendan Crighton. “This increased access to CharlieCards will hopefully ease at least some financial burden for residents relying on public transit and I applaud my colleagues for making this initiative a priority.”

“We have been recently able to make advancements for affordable and equitable access to public transportation for Lynn residents,” said Representative Dan Cahill. “The disbursement of CharlieCards will result in further savings for Lynners while bolstering our argument that increased ridership from our community will benefit the MBTA.”

Unlike CharlieTickets, CharlieCards are reusable plastic cards that can be routinely loaded with stored cash value or one-day, seven-day, or monthly passes. As a way to encourage use of CharlieCards, cardholders pay lower single-ride fares on bus and subway services than customers who pay cash or hold a CharlieTicket. CharlieCards also offer enhanced options for transfers over tickets and cash. (Note: CharlieCards are not valid for use on the Commuter Rail though customers are encouraged to learn more about Commuter Rail fare products that include the mTicket.)

CharlieCard availability has historically been concentrated around major rapid-transit hubs. Similarly, fare vending machines are clustered around rapid-transit stations. Under this initiative, the MBTA continues to acknowledge that access to cards needs to increase, especially in communities with a higher reliance on buses.

The MBTA hopes to partner with nonprofit organizations or cities and towns to provide residents with CharlieCards, either blank or pre-loaded with a dollar amount for purchase. By providing easier access to CharlieCards, the T hopes to incentivize riders to use CharlieCards and fare vending machines throughout their travels, resulting in a savings of both time and money. Organizations and communities seeking to partner in this effort should contact MBTA Chief Customer Officer Danny Levy at DLevy@MBTA.com.

For more information on CharlieCards, visit mbta.com/CharlieCard or connect with the T on Twitter @MBTA, Facebook /TheMBTA, or Instagram @MBTApics.