MBTA Is Getting Rid of That Annoying ‘Pay Your Fare’ Announcement
Green Line Photo By Olga Khvan
Well, that was quick: The MBTA revealed on Wednesday that it plans to get rid of that annoying message urging riders to pay their fares.
The pre-recorded “pay your fare, it’s only fair” announcement was only activated last weekend, but quickly drew the ire of regular commuters who took issue with the noisy address constantly playing over the speakers at certain stops on the Green Line.
According to Boston.com, MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo said that the T will no longer use the message, at least for the time being.
“It will take a few days to reprogram each trolley’s on-board system, but the announcement—as currently heard inside the cars—will be suspended while the T develops an alternative,” Pesaturo told Boston.com.
The agency began using the message in hopes of deterring riders from evading their fares, particularly at above-ground Green Line stations. However, the backlash from angry commuters on social media has forced the MBTA to find another way to remind riders to pay their fares.
“Pay your fare, it’s only fair” needs to be re-recorded as “improve your service, it’s only fair.” Because I mean really. #mbta
— Roar (@RatMutt) March 24, 2016
@MBTA Where can I submit feedback re: the “Pay Your Fare” announcement? It’s all I hear from the nearby T station & I’m going insane. #mbta
— Michal Skrzypek (@limegroove) March 23, 2016
@MBTA after cutting late night service you’re now making the trains scream “pay your fare, it’s only fair?” that’s the game y’all play?
— Daniel Kurtz (@dansaysget) March 22, 2016
I CAN HEAR THE TRAIN SCREAMING PAY YOUR FARE FROM MY APARTMEMT KILL ME @MBTA
— Christine Varriale (@certaintragedy) March 22, 2016
The latest controversy comes at a bad time for the MBTA.
The New York Times recently ran a critical article about the agency after it cut late-night service on weekends. There’s also been talk of rolling back plans for the Green Line extension.
But hey, at least Government Center is finally open.
