That prompted the T in September to mount an educational campaign that included an FAQ on mbta.com and outreach through social media, but many were still understandably surprised when their cards failed, and frustrated at the inconvenience that followed.
For frequent riders, the expiration proves largely invisible: Their cards get an automatic software upgrade, and two-year extension, when swiped. But irregular riders may find themselves suddenly unable to use their plastic CharlieCard.
New cards can only be obtained from MBTA employees, and not all stations are staffed. Even then, if you have stored value left on your expired card, the T will transfer it only if you visit the Harvard or Downtown Crossing pass-sales offices or if you mail your card to the MBTA Revenue Department (10 Park Plaza, Room 4730, Boston 02116; don’t forget to include your return address).
A few weeks ago, reader Irene Gruenfeld of Sudbury and her husband took their 5-year-old twins on a stroll through the city with a promise of a Red Line ride from Charles/MGH back to their car in South Boston. They had more than $10 on each of their cards, but the station gates failed to open, displaying an “expired’’ message. The vending machines presented similarly cryptic information. No staff was present, forcing them to buy the paper CharlieTickets spit out by the machine, which cost 30 cents more per ride.
“Apparently, if we had used our card shortly before its expiration date it would have automatically been renewed, but we are occasional users and missed that window. That means we’ll have to keep buying more expensive CharlieTickets until we find ourselves in Boston during business hours, or take our chances mailing what is essentially cash,’’ she wrote. “Is this really the case? Furthermore, why can’t CharlieCards be purchased everywhere in the machines? . . . I’m a person who enjoys the T, but I have to say this feels like a conspiracy to get us to pay more by trapping us into buying CharlieTickets.’’
