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CharlieCard

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The CharlieCard is a contactless smart card used for fare payment for transportation in the Boston area. It is the primary payment method for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and several regional public transport systems in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. It is used on the MBTA's subway and bus services, but is not currently accepted on the MBTA Commuter Rail and ferries.

CharlieCard
LocationBoston, Massachusetts, U.S.
LaunchedDecember 4, 2006 (2006-12-04)
Technology
ManagerMassachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
CurrencyUSD
Validity
Variants
  • CharlieTicket
  • Bike CharlieCard
Websitewww.mbta.com/fares Edit this at Wikidata

The card was introduced on December 4, 2006, to enhance the technology of the transit system and eliminate the burden of carrying and collecting tokens.[1] It replaced the metal token, which was phased out in 2006.[2]

Work to convert to a second-generation electronic fare system (AFC 2.0) began in 2017. The first public phase of the conversion – contactless card and smartphone payments on the subway and bus systems – was launched on August 1, 2024. Second-generation CharlieCards, a new mobile app, and new fare machines are expected to be placed in service in 2025, with the system extended to commuter rail and ferry in 2026.

Etymology

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The CharlieCard is named after the lead character in the 1948 protest folk music song, "M.T.A.". The song was written to protest a fare increase in the form of an extra five cent exit fare for longer rides and was later made popular by The Kingston Trio in 1959.[3][4] One of the rejected names for the farecard system was "The Fare Cod", a pun on both the way locals might pronounce "Card" and the fish that was once integral to the Massachusetts economy, and also a reference to other transit cards named for ocean animals, such as London's Oyster and Hong Kong's Octopus. Another rejected name was T Go card with the T being the symbol for the MBTA.[5]

History

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Introduction

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CharlieCards work on the MBTA's subway and bus services, most of which were converted in 2006. Token sales ended on December 6, 2006.[6] The final fare-controlled station to be converted was Fields Corner station on December 22, 2006.[7] They were originally expected to be usable on MBTA commuter rail and ferry boat services by December 2008,[8] with testing on the Commuter Rail originally planned for summer 2008.[9] By 2012, the MBTA had abandoned plans to accept CharlieCards on the commuter rail system.[10] On June 22, 2020, a pilot program started accepting CharlieCards on the Fairmount Line, by validation at fare vending machines and obtaining proof of payment.[11][needs update]

CharlieCards were gradually introduced to Massachusetts Regional Transit Authorities: MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (October 2010),[12] Brockton Area Transit Authority (March 2011),[13] Lowell Regional Transit Authority (November 2011),[14] Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority (branded "Tap and Ride Card"; February 2012),[15] Montachusett Regional Transit Authority (March 2012),[16] Worcester Regional Transit Authority (April 2012),[17] Cape Ann Transportation Authority,[18] Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority (November 2012), Southeastern Regional Transit Authority (January 2013),[19] and Berkshire Regional Transit Authority (January 2014).[20] The MetroWest and Montaschusets Regional Transit Authorities no longer accept CharlieCards.

After a shift to CharlieCards, some employees working as token collectors were retrained as customer service agents.[21][22] In March 2017, the MBTA announced they were planning on privatizing their customer service positions to increase efficiency. The MBTA hired a company called "Block By Block" and named "Transit Ambassadors".[23] In August 2017, the new Transit Ambassador program was rolled out.[24] As of December 2020, there were 200 Transit Ambassadors working in the MBTA system.[25]

Automated Fare Collection 2.0

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A contactless payment reader by the rear door of a Green Line train

In November 2017, the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board approved a $723 million contract with Cubic Corporation to replace the original CharlieCard and CharlieTicket with a new system ("AFC 2.0", for Automated Fare Collection) by 2021, that would allow fare gates to be compatible with contactless payment systems that have since been built into many credit cards and smartphones. To speed boarding, payment readers would be installed at all doors of Green Line trolleys and buses (to allow a proof-of-payment system) and cash-on-board payments would no longer be allowed, requiring customers to load cash onto cards at vending machines or retailers. It would also be extended to the Commuter Rail, where passengers would tap on and off.[26] Public meetings on the new system were held in 2017 and 2018,[27] but then stopped in 2019[28] until a revised plan was announced in December 2019. The new plan, costing over $900 million, was planned to roll out more gradually from 2020 to 2024. [29]

In February 2023, the MBTA confirmed that the project might be delayed beyond the 2024 deadline.[30] Contactless credit/debit card and smartphone mobile wallet payments was launched on August 1, 2024, on the bus and subway systems.[31] As of May 2024, the second-generation CharlieCard system, including a mobile app and new fare vending machines, is planned to be introduced in 2025. The system is planned to be extended to commuter rail and ferry in 2026.[32]

Technology

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The CharlieCard can store a cash balance and daily, weekly and monthly passes that allow unlimited rides during the set period of time.[33] Passengers use the plastic CharlieCard by tapping it against a target on a gate or a vehicle farebox.[34] When tapped, the gate or farebox either debits the cost of the passenger's ride, verifies that the card has a valid transfer or that the card has a pass that is valid for travel at the given time and location.[34][35] Transit riders can add value or a monthly pass to their cards at machines located at MBTA stations and vehicles, MBTA ticket offices, and retail sales terminals at select outlets.[34] Beginning in 2009, CharlieCards could be registered and have passes or money added to them online.[36]

The original CharlieCards show no expiration date, but expired three to five years after they were first activated.[37] CharlieCards distributed later had expiration dates printed on them and are valid for ten years,[37] with the exception of Student CharlieCards which expire at the end of the school year they are issued.[38]

Physical fare media are not used on The RIDE; passengers maintain an account by web site, phone, mail, or in-person visits.[39]

Prior to 2021, if a user needed to replace an expired CharlieCard, they had to go to the Downtown Crossing pass sales office during business hours or mail the card to MBTA.[40] Passes and stored value left on an expired card can be moved to the replacement card.[41]

In 2021, MBTA announced plans to upgrade fare vending machines to be able to dispense CharlieCards.[40] They also announced plans to have the new machines dispense “tappable” paper CharlieTickets, which can be scanned on future fare card readers that were under testing in 2021.[40] Additionally, the new fare readers would allow riders to pay using a smartphone or contactless credit card.[40]

Card types

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CharlieTicket

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Automated fare collection equipment is also compatible with the MBTA's CharlieTicket, a paper card with a magnetic stripe that operates as a stored-value card or time-period (monthly, weekly, or daily) pass.[42] The MBTA first implemented the stored-value CharlieTicket on the Silver Line in February 2005.[42][43] Tickets are inserted into a slot in the gate or farebox, the fare is deducted, and the ticket is returned to the rider.[42][44]

Upgraded fare gates and fare vending machined were deployed throughout the system starting in 2020 to allow the magstripe CharlieTickets to be discontinued on March 31, 2022. Part of the AFC 2.0 project, the new machines use a tappable version of the paper CharlieTicket.[45]

Bike CharlieCard

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On September 18, 2008, two 150-bike parking cages were made available at the Alewife station, next to the MBTA parking garage. Since then, a number of MBTA stations have been provided with secure, monitored bicycle parking cages. Previously, access to these cages required a free special Bike CharlieCard. However, as of the spring of 2013, any CharlieCard can be registered for bike cage access.[46]

Free & Reduced Fare cards

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Some riders also qualify for free or reduced fare.

Children under the age of 11, people who are Legally Blind, uniformed military personnel, uniformed police officers, uniformed firefighters and select government officials all ride free. Legally Blind people may request a Blind Access CharlieCard. All other non-fare-paying riders are let in by MBTA personnel - often upon presentation of ID.

People with certain disabilities, people on Medicare, people 65 and over, some middle and high school students in participating schools, and people 18–25 with low income are eligible for a reduced fare.

Purchase options

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Fare vending machines at Harvard

When the MBTA transitioned to CharlieCards, they gave cards to riders for free.[47] The cards gives a discount to CharlieCard users that began with the fare increase that took effect on January 1, 2007, and continued giving discounts with later fare increases.[48][49] The MBTA continues providing the cards free of charge at pass offices, stations throughout the system and local retailers.[50][51] Certain types of CharlieCards have reduced fares, including those for senior citizens, disabled citizens and students.[52][53]

CharlieCards can be reloaded,[34] and CharlieTickets can be purchased at Fare Vending Machines (FVMs) in transit stations, and elsewhere in the system, including buses.[54] The fareboxes on buses and light rail trains accept CharlieCards, CharlieTickets and cash.[55] In 2020, MBTA announced plans to phase out cash payments by 2025.[55]

The bulk of the MBTA's vehicles and stations were transitioned to the CharlieCard-compatible system throughout 2006, with Fields Corner the last to be converted on December 22, 2006.[56]

Fare Vending Machines are available at stations throughout the system,[57] at Logan International Airport,[58] and inside Fenway Park,[59] and at stations on the Green Line D branch. Proof-of-Payment Validation machines are installed at select stops on the other Green Line branches.[60]

Criticism

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Green Line inefficiency

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The Green Line is heavily travelled. To manage the volume, in 2002, selected stops on the Green Line the MBTA implemented a pilot system known as Show-N-Go, which allowed riders to flash their monthly passes and enter through the rear doors of a train, reducing congestion at the front door.[61][62] This system worked when monthly passes were on paper tickets, as each month's pass differed from the previous month, but became easier to evade when MBTA riders began storing monthly passes on CharlieCards, as passes held this way were harder to verify visually.[63] The MBTA installed a proof-of-payment system at certain Green Line stations to reduce the rate of lost fares. Machines were installed that deducted the fare from riders' cards and gave them a receipt as proof of payment.[60] Additionally, MBTA inspectors with handheld validators were stationed at the busiest stops to deduct money from and verify monthly passes on CharlieCards, also allowing riders to enter through any door.[60] All passengers were required to go to the front of the train and make payment (or show their receipt) to trolley drivers.[64]

In July 2012, the MBTA reverted to a "front door only" boarding policy on surface stations outside of peak hours to combat fare evasion. This policy also required passengers getting off the streetcar to walk all the way to the front of the car to exit.[65] In 2016, the policy changed to an all-door boarding during busy hours and front-door-only boarding during off-peak hours.[66][67]

The "Fare Transformation" project is currently in the process of converting all surface trolley and bus lines to all-door boarding using a proof of payment (POP) system.[45] The first POP segment opened in March 2022, with the inauguration of service to Union Square station on the Green Line Extension.

Security concerns

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See also: Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority v. Anderson

Security flaws in the CharlieCard technology were studied and reported in a presentation by Henryk Plötz and Karsten Nohl at the Chaos Communication Congress in December 2007, which described a partial reverse-engineering of the algorithm used in the MIFARE Classic chip.[68] The MIFARE Classic smartcard[69] from NXP Semiconductors, owned by Philips, was reported as compromised in March 2008 by a group of researchers led by Karsten Nohl, a Ph.D. student in the Department of Computer Science, University of Virginia.[70][71][72]

In addition, the security used on the mag-stripe CharlieTickets was broken by a team of MIT students. They were scheduled to give a talk about their findings at DEFCON 16 in August 2008,[73] but were stopped after a federal lawsuit was filed against them by the MBTA, which resulted in a restraining order being issued.[74][75] However, their presentation had already been published by DEFCON before the complaint was filed.[76] On August 19, the court ruled the students could give their presentation.[77]

In 2022, it was revealed that the NFC chip in some Android smartphones could interact with CharlieCards, including duplicating data from one card to a blank card. The MBTA indicated that its software systems detected a small number of such duplicated cards – about ten per month – which were then deactivated.[78]

In 2023, four Medford Vocational Technical High School students found new vulnerabilities in MiFARE Classic that allowed them edit values on CharlieCards. This included adding anywhere between $0 and $327.67, as well as making employee cards. They presented their findings at DEF CON 31 with MBTA approval.[79][80]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Daniel, Mac (2006-11-12). "Starts and Stops—Sign of winter: plow drivers sought". The Boston Globe. p. B2. Retrieved 2006-11-12.
  2. ^ MBTA bids farewell to an era the last brass tokens are sold Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ "The Kingston Trio". Billboard. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  4. ^ Seelye, Katharine Q. (2019-02-05). "Jacqueline Steiner, 94, Lyricist Who Left Charlie on the M.T.A., Dies (Published 2019)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  5. ^ Dig Staff. "Forever, 'Neath the Streets of Boston". The Weekly Dig. Retrieved 2006-08-09.[dead link‍]
  6. ^ Ross, Casey (December 6, 2006). "CharlieCard Takes Over MBTA As Last Token Sold". Boston Herald. Archived from the original on December 13, 2006 – via Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.
  7. ^ Ryan, Andrew (December 23, 2006). "Last T Station Converted To New Fare Equipment". The Boston Globe – via Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.
  8. ^ Ryan, Andrew (2007-12-04). "CharlieCard celebrates its first birthday". The Boston Globe.
  9. ^ Goodison, Donna (2007-12-05). "CharlieCard setup coming to commuter rail". The Boston Herald.
  10. ^ Eric Moskowitz (April 21, 2012). "The app that Charlie really could have used". The Boston Globe.
  11. ^ MBTA. "Fairmount Line Weekday Service Pilot". Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  12. ^ "Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation: MBTA Charlie Card Expands to MetroWest RTA". Transportation.blog.state.ma.us. 2010-10-27. Archived from the original on 2012-07-06. Retrieved 2012-07-22.
  13. ^ "Charlie-Card reach expands". The Boston Globe. 2011-03-20.
  14. ^ Lips, Evan (24 November 2011). "Charlie on the LRTA". The Lowell Sun. Archived from the original on 3 July 2013. Retrieved 24 November 2011.
  15. ^ "Final-Blue.aspx". 30 January 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-02-14.
  16. ^ "Charlie Card: Frequently Asked Questions | MART". Mrta.us. Archived from the original on 2012-07-30. Retrieved 2012-07-22.
  17. ^ Worcester Regional Transit Authority. "WRTA New Passes and Fare Box" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-06-04.[permanent dead link‍]
  18. ^ Cape Ann Transportation Authority. "CATA Fares and Passes". Archived from the original on 2012-03-20. Retrieved 2012-06-05.
  19. ^ "SRTA is Implementing a New Fare Collection System" (PDF). Srtabus.com. Retrieved 2013-01-07.[permanent dead link‍]
  20. ^ "Berkshire Regional Transit Authority bus fares". Retrieved 2014-07-15.
  21. ^ "T continues to push privatization". Newspapers.com. 20 March 2017. Retrieved 2021-05-10.
  22. ^ "Service, smiles". Newspapers.com. 10 October 2010. Retrieved 2021-05-10.
  23. ^ "MBTA moves to privatize customer service jobs - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  24. ^ "Blind MBTA Passenger Denied Entry At Chinatown Says He Felt 'Humiliated'". 2017-08-11. Retrieved 2021-05-11.
  25. ^ "Privatized MBTA transit ambassadors deserve better". CommonWealth Magazine. 2020-12-13. Retrieved 2021-05-11.
  26. ^ MBTA Awards $723M Contract For Overhaul Of Fare Collection
  27. ^ Fare Transformation
  28. ^ MBTA's Automatic Fare Collection 2.0 — Where Did It Go?
  29. ^ MBTA Hitting Reset On Automated Fare System Rollout
  30. ^ "MBTA expects new fare collection system to be delayed again". WCVB. 27 February 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  31. ^ "New Ways to Pay: MBTA Announces Contactless Payments Accepted Onboard Buses, Green Line Trolleys, Mattapan Line Trolleys, and at Subway Fare Gates Starting August 1" (Press release). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. July 9, 2024.
  32. ^ Cook, Jeff; Winters Ronaldson, Elizabeth (May 23, 2024). "Automated Fare Collection (AFC 2.0) Change Order" (PDF). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. p. 5.
  33. ^ "Watertown partners with MBTA to increase access to CharlieCards". Watertown TAB. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  34. ^ a b c d "T pushing a new form of currency: CharlieCard". Newspapers.com. 1 December 2006. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  35. ^ "MBTA plans fare increase for subway, bus, and rail". Newspapers.com. 29 April 2006. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  36. ^ "Charlie Card Goes Online". wbur.org. 29 July 2009. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  37. ^ a b "Expiring CharlieCards causing confusion and frustration". Newspapers.com. 1 January 2012. Retrieved 2021-05-06.
  38. ^ "Middle and High School Student CharlieCards | Reduced Fares | MBTA". mbta.com. Retrieved 2021-05-06.
  39. ^ MBTA. "Fares and Adding Funds to Your Account". Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  40. ^ a b c d "MBTA installing new CharlieCard-dispensing fare vending machines | Boston.com". boston.com. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  41. ^ Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. "CharlieCard Expiration FAQ". Retrieved 2012-06-04.
  42. ^ a b c "T tests its card-based fare system to mixed reviews". Newspapers.com. 1 February 2005. Retrieved 2021-05-11.
  43. ^ "Charlies wanted". Newspapers.com. 16 January 2005. Retrieved 2021-05-11.
  44. ^ "Conversion confusion". Newspapers.com. 28 August 2005. Retrieved 2021-05-11.
  45. ^ a b MBTA. "Fare Transformation". Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  46. ^ Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. "Bikes on the T". Archived from the original on 2017-09-25. Retrieved 2013-02-05.
  47. ^ "A year later, riders warming to Charlie". Newspapers.com. 30 December 2007. Retrieved 2021-05-20.
  48. ^ Shartin, Emily (2006-07-06). "Winners, losers in new T fares". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2006-08-09.
  49. ^ Daniel, Mac (2006-10-07). "T will proceed with fare increases". The Boston Globe. p. A1. Retrieved 2006-10-07.
  50. ^ Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. "Get the CharlieCard Today". Retrieved 2006-12-29.
  51. ^ Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (2006-11-30). "CharlieCard Distribution Plan (Press Briefing)". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2006-12-04.
  52. ^ MBTA, Fares and Passes: Reduced Fare Programs" Archived November 10, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  53. ^ "Various MBTA fares could increase unevenly". Newspapers.com. 6 January 2016. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
  54. ^ "T overhauls ticket checking". Newspapers.com. 22 July 2017. Retrieved 2021-05-20.
  55. ^ a b "Cost of T's new fare system rises $210m, to about $930m". Newspapers.com. 28 April 2020. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
  56. ^ "MBTA tokens are given a jolly old farewell". Newspapers.com. 26 December 2006. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
  57. ^ "MBTA planning on a mostly cash less system". Newspapers.com. 29 March 2016. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
  58. ^ Daniel, Mac (2006-11-12). "Starts and Stops—Sign of winter: plow drivers sought". The Boston Globe. p. B2. Retrieved 2006-11-12.
  59. ^ "MBTA fare vending machines heading to Fenway Park". Newspapers.com. 15 August 2007. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
  60. ^ a b c Daniel, Mac (2006-12-10). "Working out kinks on the Green Line". The Boston Globe. p. B2. Retrieved 2006-12-10.
  61. ^ "Show-N-Go Continues Along the Green Line" (Press release). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. 2006-09-01. Archived from the original on December 17, 2005. Retrieved 2006-12-29.
  62. ^ "Pilot plan keeping Green Line on track". Newspapers.com. 30 June 2002. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
  63. ^ "Green Line's 'Show 'n Go' offers easy way to evade fares". Newspapers.com. 9 July 2006. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
  64. ^ Daniel, Mac (2006-12-29). "Free rides will halt on MBTA". The Boston Globe. p. B1. Retrieved 2006-12-29.
  65. ^ Moskovitz, Eric (2012-05-30). "Free rides on Green Line end, T hopes". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on 2013-01-18. Retrieved 2012-07-21.
  66. ^ Authority, Massachusetts Bay Transportation. "MBTA Studies, Addresses Green Line Fare Collection Issues < News < MBTA - Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority". mbta.com. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  67. ^ "T says uncollected fares, evasion costing it millions annually". Newspapers.com. 26 April 2016. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
  68. ^ Cf. Wikipedia MIFARE Security article
  69. ^ NXP Product information on the Mifare card Archived September 7, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  70. ^ Ragan, Steve, "U.VA. researchers crack smartcard chips – Mifare Classic security proven weak" Archived September 22, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, The Tech Herald, March 12, 2008
  71. ^ Bray, Hiawatha (March 6, 2008). "T card has security flaw, says researcher". The Boston Globe. Retrieved June 18, 2009.
  72. ^ Szaniszlo, Marie (March 6, 2008). "Research: CharlieCard is far from hack-proof". Boston Herald. Archived from the original on February 21, 2009. Retrieved June 18, 2009.
  73. ^ DEFCON 16 Speaker and Talk Abstract list Archived November 5, 2015, at the Wayback Machine - August 8, 2008
  74. ^ McGraw-Herdeg, Michael and Vogt, Marissa, "Students’ subway security talk canceled by court order" Archived March 18, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, MIT Tech newspaper, August 8, 2008
  75. ^ Defcon Speakers Sued Archived March 5, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  76. ^ "EFF to Fight Order Forcing Students to Cancel Subway Hacking Presentation". Efluxmedia. August 12, 2008. Archived from the original on August 21, 2008.
  77. ^ Judge backs hackers in Boston subway dispute[permanent dead link‍]
  78. ^ Bray, Hiawatha (December 8, 2022). "Your CharlieCard can be hacked by an Android phone, MBTA admits". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on December 8, 2022.
  79. ^ Greenberg, Andy. "Teens Hacked Boston Subway Cards to Get Infinite Free Rides—and This Time, Nobody Got Sued". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
  80. ^ Boston Infinite Money Glitch: Hacking Transit Cards Without Ending Up In Handcuffs (PDF). Retrieved 2024-02-08.

Further reading

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