r/mbta • u/Henry_Stream • 1d ago

🧠 Analysis The new transfer system solves another problem

I just realized the unlimited transfer system that starts tomorrow will be a total lifesaver to anyone who enters the wrong side of a station like Boylston, where you have to exit the fare gates and go back outside to get to the correct side. Unless you get to the correct side after the two hour window closes, it sounds like you won’t be charged another $2.40 just because you made an honest mistake.

114 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

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27

u/Any-Package1409 1d ago

But how to prevent passing card back to another rider? Maybe there is cooldown. IDK

21

u/Henry_Stream 1d ago

I think a 3-5 minute cooldown would be fair, because I think it’d take that long to realize the situation, walk to the other side, and go from there. Best way to find out is to test it out, which I want to do with getting out at North Station, buying snacks at Star Market, then getting back on the Green Line to Science Park, rather than walking.

24

u/Victor_Korchnoi 1d ago

I would think multiple taps at the same station or bus (not bus route but bus) would count as multiple people.

10

u/Henry_Stream 1d ago

Do you think that means I should be able to get off a bus where people are being obnoxious, then get on the next one of the same route for no extra cost? I had to do that with one before, which is luckily a 15 minutes or better one.

4

u/Victor_Korchnoi 1d ago

I would think that it’s smart enough to count that as one ride.

10

u/ipsumdeiamoamasamat Commuter Rail | Red Line 1d ago

I think there’s already a period post-tap where the card can’t be used again for X minutes. Someone smarter than me knows better.

1

u/SeraphSlaughter 18h ago

There is. Unless you have the blind pass.