To All Commuter Rail Customers:

Information on MBTA’s New Commuter Rail Fare Structure – Effective July 1, 2012

The MBTA is introducing a new, two-tiered fare structure for commuter rail this year in order to improve on-board fare collection and help improve customer boarding and alighting times. At present, conductors collect over $1,500,000 each month in cash for fares purchased on board. This increasingly high number of cash transactions takes the conductor’s time away from two key duties: checking passes and opening and closing doors. Under the new structure, the pricing encourages passengers to purchase tickets in advance at a ticket window or machine. All tickets purchased off board are $3.00 less than for on board purchases.

To help inform customers about this structure, our printed schedules and on line materials will list both sets of prices so that it is clear which price applies in each case. By reducing the number of cash transactions on board, the structure provides two customer service improvements. First, conductors can move more quickly through the train so that all tickets and passes can be verified, helping to reduce fare evasion; second, with less time devoted to cash transactions, more time is available to attend to doors, which improves boarding and alighting speed. This will contribute to improved on time performance. Because we do not have ticket vending machines at every location, we have chosen to retain a cash option for our customers. Some transit agencies do not allow any cash transactions on board, reducing their administrative costs. At this time, the MBTA is not in a position to fully-eliminate cash sales on board.

As you may know, the MBTA is also preparing to introduce a pilot project enabling customers to pay for commuter rail travel on board via their telephones. With the increasing availability of smartphones, mobile payment options are now in use at a growing range of retail locations and the MBTA is working to bring this convenience to our customers. If successful, this approach could help the MBTA avoid the purchase and maintenance costs of ticket machines while allowing our customers greater flexibility in when and how tickets are purchased. If you are interested in learning more about this pilot project, please see www.mbta.com for details as the project is developed.

Any additional questions on the new MBTA fares or the newly implemented commuter rail ticket expiration dates should be submitted to the MBTA. You may also reach them by phone at: (617) 222-3200 or online at http://www.mbta.com/ .

Thank you for riding commuter rail.

To All of our Commuter Rail Customers

1. MBCR would like to take this opportunity to inform you that the MBTA has amended its earlier decision on ticket validity dates. 10-Ride and single ride tickets will now be valid for 90 days from the date of purchase. Until fare equipment can be updated, conductors will be instructed to honor all 12- ride, 10- Ride and single ride tickets for 90 days from the printed purchase date.

2. Fare pricing will be structured as follows:

· All tickets purchased at a vendor or machine prior to boarding will be $3.00 less than tickets purchased on-board where a machine or vendor is available.

· Tickets purchased on-board all trains departing from North, South and Back Bay Stations will be charged at the higher on-board price. At these terminal stations ticket sales are available during all service hours. Passengers are encouraged to purchase tickets before boarding trains.

· MBTA Commuter Rail tickets are available for pre-purchase at a select number of locations outside of Boston. A list of these locations can be found on the MBTA website: http://www.mbta.com/fares_and_passes/sales_locations

· One Way Single Rides for Zone 9 and Zone 10 will be charged at the lower One Way Fare at all times

3. Fare pricing for all modes can be found on the following link on the MBTA’s website: http://www.mbta.com/fares_and_passes/charlie/?id=24359

In closing, we wish to remind you that fare and schedule changes will take effect on Sunday July 1st. Please log on to either the MBTA or MBCR websites for details and look for the listing that reads “effective July 1, 2012”. http://www.mbcr.net/ or http://www.mbta.com/ .

Thank you as always for riding the commuter rail.

Customer Service
Massachusetts Bay Commuter Rail
Operating the Commuter Rail on behalf of the MBTA