State Sen. Will Brownsberger is sponsoring a Senior CharlieCard Day on Wednesday, May 11, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Watertown Senior Center, 31 Marshall Street, Watertown, the senator’s office announced.
Seniors age 65 or older can save a trip to the MBTA offices in Downtown Boston and apply for a Senior CharlieCard at the Senior Center on this one day. Staff from the office of Sen. Will Brownsberger will be on hand to take a photo and process applications which will be provided. Seniors will need to bring a valid, state-issued photo ID that includes date of birth. No advance sign-up is needed. New cards will be sent by mail and may take six to eight weeks to process.
What is the Senior CharlieCard? Adults age 65 and older are eligible for the Senior CharlieCard. This card can be used to receive reduced fares on all MBTA transportation services — including buses, the subway, the commuter rail line, and the Salem-to-Boston ferry. More information about reduced senior fares can be found at the MBTA website.
CharlieCards will not be renewed at this event. If you currently have a Senior CharlieCard that is about to expire and you need to renew it, call the MBTA at 617-222-3200. The expiration date can be found printed on the card. If your CharlieCard has already expired or you have lost it, then you may re-apply in person at this event or call the MBTA. For more information about this event call Barbara Miranda at 617-722-1280.
That’s a nice gesture toward helping seniors get reduced fare cards, but my experience is that while it is a nuisance to go to the office at the Downtown Crossing T station, you do get the card then and there and can even use it for reduced T and bus fare returning home. 6-8 weeks is a heck of a wait.