The board that governs the Boston subway system (the T) has just approved its second fare hike in three years. Of course, these rate increases will affect those who can least afford to pay. But the board estimates that this will increase revenues by $71 million while decreasing ridership by 16.5 million people. Does $1.70 for one subway ride seem reasonable? Or $1.20 for a bus? It strikes me as a bit much.

But there's an added twist, something that hasn't been widely reported and I only discovered through google serendipity. Those prices apply only to people using the "CharlieCard," which is a monthly or weekly pass. Everyone else -- people paying cash or using a stored-value "CharlieTicket" -- will pay more. They will pay $2.00 for a subway ride, an increase of $0.75 from the current rate, and $1.50 for the bus, an increase of $0.60 from the current rate. Right now, a monthly pass for the bus costs $31, the subway $44, and a combination $71.

In all of this, I'm bludgeoned by the irony of the T naming its passes, tickets, and cards after the protagonist of a song written to protest rate hikes. Well, it was written on behalf of a candidate who promised to rollback the rate hikes. It was memorably recorded by the Kingston Trio (which is probably why my dad can recite all of the lyrics, even without a request). And so...

Charlie and the MTA

Let me tell ya of a story 'bout a man named Charlie, on a tragic and faithful day./ He put ten cents in his pocket, kissed his wife and family, went to ride on the M.T.A.

CHORUS:But did he ever return? No, he never returned, and his fate is still unlearned. (Shame and scandal). / He may ride forever 'neath the streets of Boston, he's the man who never returned.

Charlie handed in his dime at the Kendall Square Station / and he changed for Jamaca Plain. / When he got there the conductor told him, "one more nickel," / Charlie couldn't get off that train.

CHORUS

Well, all night long Charlie rides through the stations, / Saying, "What will become of me? / How can I afford to see my sister in Chelsea / or my cousin or Roxbury?"

CHORUS

Charlie's wife goes down to the Scully Square station, / every day at a quarter past two. / And through the open window, she hands Charlie a sandwich / as the train goes a rumbling through.

CHORUS

Now you citizens of Boston, don't you think it's a scandal /How the people have to pay and pay? / Fight the fare increse, vote for George O'Reilly! /Get poor Charlie off the M.T.A.