Ethan Marcotte

honestly this is the most boston-ass approach to contactless payment on mass transit, well done everyone https://www.wbur.org/news/2024/08/01/mbta-charliecard-fare-contactless-payment-credit-card-phone-tips-newsletters

#BostonMA #mbta #Boston2024

The MBTA's new contactless fare readers are now live. Here are some dos and don'ts | WBUR News

You can now go CharlieCard-free on the MBTA. The new “Tap to Ride” system lets riders use credit cards, phones and even smartwatches to directly pay fares on buses and subways. Here are some tips to ensure your first ride goes smoothly.

WBUR
Aug 1, 2024 at 1:31pmWeb
Show threadEthan MarcotteAug 1, 2024
congratulations, you walked to work and now you own three subway cars
Show threadtripleman, a 🇨🇦 in 🇩🇪Aug 1, 2024
@beep omg
Show threadZach LeathermanAug 1, 2024
@beep how did they deduct from my 401k I don’t even have a card for that
Show threadEthan MarcotteAug 1, 2024
@zachleat mbta owns your house now
Show threadSimon Cox Aug 1, 2024

@beep

It's pure theft isn't it?

Show threadParsingphaseAug 1, 2024

@beep We installed these things in London a decade ago and the advice was similarly dreadful. The worst mistake was the use of the word "tap" - quick tapping meant the reader couldn't scan and the gate got confused. Telling people to "touch" their card against the reader works much better.
And the "seven inch" thing was nonsense then - and probably still is with the new readers.

#BostonMA #mbta #Boston2024

Show threadEthan MarcotteAug 1, 2024
@parsingphase Ah, that’s good to know, thank you! We’ll see how it works here. My near-term plan is to just use my phone, at least until they work the kinks out.
Show threadParsingphaseAug 1, 2024
@beep Makes sense - I always used my watch in London.
Show threadJason GarberAug 1, 2024
@beep “do not look at super happy fun ball”
Show threadAnnaAug 1, 2024
@beep what
Show threadEthan MarcotteAug 1, 2024
@sacchan correct
Show threadSteve Karsch 🤘🏻Aug 1, 2024
@beep It's a FEATURE!
Show threadNiels van RongenAug 1, 2024
@beep Don’t worry, I’ve seen the same advice for contactless payments for the train in the Netherlands.
Show threadEthan MarcotteAug 1, 2024
@niels Oh, phew. Well, here’s hoping it’s not that bad here!
Show threadEgor KloosAug 1, 2024
@niels @beep Having a secure wallet of some soort is kinda useful these days. I'm using one of these: https://secrid.com/en-us/
Secrid - Dutch wallet makers since 1995

Industrial design and fashion come together in pocket-sized essentials. Ethically Made in Holland. Designed to last.

Show threadEthan MarcotteAug 1, 2024
@dutchcelt @niels Ooh, those are *lovely*. And I have an RFID blocking wallet! I’d be surprised if most Boston commuters do, though.
Show threadAshley McQuaidAug 1, 2024
@beep oh wowwww this muscle memory is gonna mess some of us upppppp 💀
Show threadEthan MarcotteAug 1, 2024

@ashley ugh YUP

hoping i can train myself to pay through apple wallet, at least until any payment kinks get worked out 🤞🏻

Show threadEricAug 1, 2024
@beep classic