Charlie

The Charlie Card/automated fare collection system has been installed in my station for about a week. It's also been in place in lots of other stations by now, but does anyone notice any improvements to the commute? Maybe it's just me, but I feel like I've been slowed down. I can't run for trains entering the station any more because the ticket machine takes a few seconds to process my card, spit it out, open, and let me through. That's made for more than a few frustrating morning rush hours. But I also feel bad for all the elderly and overweight people who use my station now, too. There used to be two long benches inside the station where they could sit and wait for family and friends. Those are both gone and have been replaced by card vending machines. That's pretty cold, Charlie. Is this relationship between you and us just going to have one-way benefits?