Storify by WGBH News

Response to the MBTA D Line front-door boarding strategy

Talk to the T? Plenty of Twitter users do. @mbtagm has 13k+ followers. On April 18, they made their opinions known about the MBTA's new anti–fare evasion initiative.

The T needs money. A lot: The anticipated FY2013 budget gap is $100 million. So ...
MBTA @mbtaGM
We are going to "front-door only" boarding on the Green Line to curb fare evasion. Story here: bit.ly/HSIjuh #mbta
Wed, Apr 18 2012 06:35:19
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There were responses negative:
Max Silver @maxesilver
Going to be so annoying RT @mbtaGM We are going to "front-door only" boarding on Green Line to curb fare evasion bit.ly/HSIjuh #mbta
Wed, Apr 18 2012 06:37:56
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And positive:
J∆RED M∆Y @JaredMay76
@mbtaGM love the front door policy!
Wed, Apr 18 2012 06:44:31
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CommonwealthRecycle @CommnwlthRcycle
@mbtaGM. That's great. Now bring it to the mattapan trolley line
Wed, Apr 18 2012 07:16:01
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Meghann Van Dorn @MeghannVanDorn
Really frustrated by all the fare evaders sneaking in behind me at Ashmont Station; @mbtaGM please put someone on duty! #mbta
Wed, Apr 18 2012 04:16:13
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@mbtagm primarily tweets service alerts. But that day the agency used the account to answer questions and complaints about the policy.
riptor @riptor
@mbtagm If someone is found to not have paid during the 'fare blitzes' what's the penalty?
Wed, Apr 18 2012 06:45:35
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MBTA @mbtaGM
@riptor During blitzes, customers are not allows to board until they have paid their fare.
Wed, Apr 18 2012 06:46:51
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riptor @riptor
@mbtagm I misunderstood; the term "spot check" seemed to imply not everyone was checked. In other times what is the penalty for not paying?
Wed, Apr 18 2012 06:48:00
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MBTA @mbtaGM
@riptor The fine is $15 for the first offense. We have filed legislation to change that. More here: b.globe.com/JgovAv
Wed, Apr 18 2012 06:51:14
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riptor @riptor
@mbtagm Interesting. Thanks! I'm very happy about this initiative; next step is to ensure that GL drivers stop waving passengers. Good work!
Wed, Apr 18 2012 06:53:17
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Not that the MBTA convinced everyone its new policy was the best policy.
Brian Langan @blangan13
@mbtaGM You should have written "We're going to inconvenience everyone by slowing down the commute in order to punish a few."
Wed, Apr 18 2012 06:40:10
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MBTA @mbtaGM
@blangan13 "front door only" boarding is being piloted during off peak hours when we have smaller crowds.
Wed, Apr 18 2012 06:42:36
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Brian Langan @blangan13
@mbtaGM Off-peak pilot won't give a sense of how disruptive it will be during peak commute. Would also think fare evasion is lower off-peak
Wed, Apr 18 2012 06:59:42
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Another exchange, with a familiar ring of impatience from this Somerville rider:
Daniel Martinez @SuperUber7
@mbtaGM you need to install scanners at ALL doors leaving the front for cash/tickets. You can then 'spot-check' riders and ticket evaders.
Wed, Apr 18 2012 06:40:23
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Daniel Martinez @SuperUber7
@mbtaGM and by ticket I mean $100+ going up with each offense. Slowing down an already slow transit line seems silly.
Wed, Apr 18 2012 06:41:09
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MBTA @mbtaGM
.@SuperUber7 This policy is during off-peak hours only. We frequently spot-check during rush hour as part of "fare blitzes."
Wed, Apr 18 2012 06:43:29
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(@SuperUber7 = Daniel Martinez.) Another rider interjects:
Kenjimal @kenjimallon
@mbtaGM @SuperUber7 on D line it is constant during rush hour (past two weeks)
Wed, Apr 18 2012 06:45:53
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All right, smart guys. You have any better ideas? Maybe.