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Boston's Morning Newsletter
Editor's Note:This is an excerpt from WBUR's daily morning newsletter, WBUR Today. If you like what you read and want it in your inbox,sign up here.
It’s a new month —and a new era for MBTA riders. The T’s contactless “Tap to Ride” fare readers are now live, allowing riders to use credit cards, smartphones and even smartwatches to directly pay fares on buses, trolleys and across the subway system.
Here are some dos and don’ts to ensure yourfirst encounter with the new readersis smooth — and that you don’t get hit with extra charges:
Don’t…
- Don’t try to tap a CharlieCard on the new readers! You’ll get a big red “X.”For now, CharlieCards and CharlieTickets can only be used on the old readers. If you have a monthly pass or stored value on one, just keep tapping the same old readers you’ve always used.
- Don’t tap the readers with your full wallet. While this is a common practice with the old readers, tapping your entire wallet on the new fare readers raises the risk it could scan and charge more than one card. In fact, T officials say the readers can detect a payment device within 7 inches. So, keep your purses, bags and backpacks away from them, too.
- Don’t try to use it on the commuter rail or ferries. Those modes won’t get the new contactless payment technology until 2026.
Do…
- Set up a mobile wallet, like Apple Pay, if you haven’t already and want to tap your phone (or watch) to pay. Check out these video tutorialsfor Apple Pay, Google Wallet and Samsung Pay.
- Use the same card each time you pay when transferringbetween bus and subway — so you’ll only pay one fare for the full ride.
- Link your credit card or phone to your account, if you’re enrolled in one of the T’s reduced fare programs. Read the directions here.
- Tell us:MBTA riders, what was your first encounter with the contactless payment system like? Do you like the new system? Run into any glitches? Reply to this email to let us know.
Go deeper:Listen to the debut episodeof our relaunchedweeklypodcastThe Commonwith WBUR transportation reporter Andrea Perdomo-Hernandez for more details on the T’s new technology.
It’s still July on Beacon Hill:Like a college student who procrastinated on their term paper, lawmakers at the State House have been up all night trying to finish months of work. Legislators remain in session this morning, well past their midnight deadline. And deals onseveral major billsstill have yet to emerge.
- Just in: Right before 7 a.m., legislators announced a deal on Gov. Maura Healey’s housing bond bill. The Boston Globe reportsit includes billions for public housing — but leaves out proposals toexpand water infrastructureorshift broker’s fees to landlords.
- Meanwhile: Lawmakers told reporters this morning it’s not looking good for deals on new clean energy legislationor for aneconomic development bill. (Sorry,soccer stadiumfans.)
- What else is headed to Healey’s desk? A few less controversial bills, including an update to how the state defines parentageanda ban on the use of large animals, like elephants, in circuses. Lawmakers also reached a consensus on a sweeping veterans bill, despite somelast-minute paperwork issues.
- Earlier yesterday: Healey signed the wage transparency bill that lawmakers passed last week. That meansstarting July 31, 2025, employers with more than 25 workers will be required to include pay ranges in all job postings.
Shelter latest:Thenew five-day limiton stays in overflow shelters starts today, but the Healey administration now says it will let those running the shelters extend a family’s stay for over a month. Afact sheetreleased yesterday says providers can grant extensions of up to 30 business days for those experiencing issues with re-housing, transportation or health.
- WBUR’s John Bender reports advocates say families will still struggle finding housing, but the state says the limit is necessary since the system is at capacity.
P.S.— The Pete Frates Foundation is marking the 10th anniversary of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge today witha ceremony at Fenway Park— wherethe late Beverly nativeand former college athletefirst dumped a bucket of water on his head. Frates’ father, John, told WBUR’s Fausto Menard the funds generated by the challenge has now been leveraged into more than $1 billion in research funding for ALS.
Nik DeCosta-Klipa Newsletter Editor
Nik DeCosta-Klipa is the newsletter editor for WBUR.
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