BOSTON - MBTA interim General Manager Frank DePaola today announced that Commuter Rail CharlieCards for monthly pass holders are now available.

General Manager DePaola says CharlieCards with monthly passes printed on them are available for Corporate Pass Program participants and customers who make monthly pass purchases on the MBTA website.

The CharlieCard monthly passes replace paper tickets, which are not as durable as the plastic smartcards. Commuter Rail passes purchased by vending machines or at sales offices will continue to be delivered in ticket form.

The MBTA in January began testing of the CharlieCards printed with a monthly commuter rail pass. General Manager DePaola said the pilot program received overwhelmingly positive feedback from customers. The CharlieCard commuter rail passes are used as 'flash passes' on board commuter rail trains and then used like any other CharlieCard for bus and subway service.

Commuter rail customers are encouraged to visit MBTA Commuter Rail Fares and Passes online to purchase an April commuter rail pass.

It was also announced today that the refurbished Green Line trolleys have started to make their way back to Boston, following significant work at the Alstom plant in New York.

"This is a great first step toward improving service on the Green Line," said General Manager DePaola. "As these cars are re-introduced to the fleet, customers will notice gradual improvements in capacity and reliability."

The Green Line Type 7 fleet includes 86 Light Rail Vehicles which entered service in 1986 and 1987 and are nearing the end of their intended design life. Each car's systems require significant work to restore them from a deteriorated condition or complete replacement to ensure the vehicles can continue to provide safe and reliable operation.

The $104.4 million project includes preserving the integrity of the vehicle structure, roof, and exterior and improving the reliability of the fleet. Systems are being replaced or upgraded while others are being overhauled. Some of the improvements include a replacement in the upgraded design HVAC, auxiliary lighting, flooring, seating, and insulation. The overhaul work addresses the structure, roof, exterior skin, door system, brake equipment, trucks, and propulsion.

All refurbished cars are inspected, cleaned and subjected to extensive testing prior to being returned to service. The first car will enter passenger service in early April. The current refurbishment schedule calls for approximately half of the 86 trolleys to be returned to service by next winter, and the other half by the end of 2016.