CharlieCards: are they ironic? (Boston, Kingston: city hall, office, subway)

[Boston Shudra]

The song that the cards derive their name from...



...is a political campaign song meant to rally voters against subway fare increases, yet the MBTA has increased fares as recently as 2019 - long after the cards were adopted.

[missionhill]

Yes, ironic for sure-- the bureaucracy making fun of itself. Maybe a particularly Boston thing, like the Mass Highways signs saying Use yah blinkah! The T isn't pretending to side with the Kingston Trio against fare increases. That's business. They're saying we're all long-suffering Charlies (except for big Charlie in the corner office who doesn't ride the T) -- so wink, smile and accept the system for what it is. The people reworking City Hall Plaza need a similar turn of phrase to make the dour City Hall more light-hearted.

[Urban Peasant]

In as much as I like the Kingston Trio's "MTA", the 'T' needs a more attractive anthem to attract more ridership and fans, something like "Bus Stop" or "Look Through Any Window" by the Hollies or "Magic Bus" by the Who.