Originally Posted by
fairviewroad
I think "stowaway" is a bit strong of a word in this case. It's not like the OP would be hiding from the conductor...he would be making a good faith effort to purchase a ticket. I also think Acela conductors are probably reasonably aware that fares from RTE are usually (always? I'm not sure) the same as from BOS or BBY.
That said, if you're boarding the train in BOS you should have time to complete the purchase before the actual departure time, shouldn't you? (Assuming you have the App at the ready and are familiar with the process.) Once you reach your seat you should have a minute or two before the train pulls out and certainly plenty of time before the train leaves BBY which is when it would really start to "matter." Just settle in to your seat, buy a ticket from BBY-NYP and you should be good to go. If the train shows up as "sold out" just get off in BBY, head back to BOS on the next MBTA and resume Plan A.
Yes, the fare always is the same for NYP-bound trains from BOS, BBY and RTE.
I agree with you that boarding at BOS allows ample opportunity to purchase the ticket; the problem is at BOS they always check for tickets before they even allow you to board the train. In my case, I would have boarded at BBY. And the challenge that presents is that you don't have a good cell or wifi signal until the train exits the tunnel to the south of the city, so it's at least theoretically possible that the conductor will collect tickets before one has the chance to complete the purchase.
Originally Posted by
amamba
I find it improbable that a conductor wouldn't know that tickets are the same price from BOS - BBY - RTE to the destination. That is common knowledge.
You're right, there's absolutely no chance the conductors wouldn't know that. That is why, on Northbound trains, they collect the seat checks after the train departs PVD. At that point, they're indifferent to whether you get off at RTE, BBY or BOS, as it's the same fare regardless.