Say goodbye to purchasing paper tickets when you board the Purple Line.
This fall, commuter rail riders will be able to buy train tickets on their smart phones once they are on the train.
The MBTA is launching a pilot program with transit mobile ticketing company Masabi US, which allows customers to purchase the passes using an app on an iPhone, Android or Blackberry device.
According to MBTA officials, less than half of MBTA’s 140 Commuter Rail stations have fare vending machines, forcing customers to pay for tickets on board.
Tickets can be bought by downloading the app and using a credit or debit card. Monthly pass holders will also be able to link a plastic CharlieCard to their pass allowing them “tap-in” instead of using magnetic tickets for the MBTA subway and bus systems, according to T officials.
Smart phone-equipped train conductors will be checking tickets to ensure their validity, keeping fare jumpers from hitching a free ride.
MBTA officials said the move to mobile ticketing will save the transit agency some cash, because they won’t have to purchase additional ticket kiosks at stations around the state.
Riders will be asked to help design the app later this summer, before the final product is rolled out in the fall.
