Upcoming Fare Projects

Rider tapping AMEX contactless card on a Charlie reader that reads tap here at fare gate

Over the coming months, you may begin to notice changes to our fare payment system. Learn more about these changes and how they may affect your trip.

Contact Customer Support

For issues with fare payment, accidental taps, issues with your account, or anything else regarding the Charlie system you can contact us through the call center at 617-222-3200 or the Charlie customer support form.

Fill out the customer support form

Testing the New Charlie Card

Starting January 2025, the MBTA is looking for participants to test the new Charlie Card. With the new Charlie Card, you’ll be able to reload your card with cash value and passes online and at the new Charlie fare vending machines. These machines will be installed first along the Orange Line, and then across all stations.

You can fill out the recruitment survey if you are interested in being one of the first to use the new Charlie Card.

Fill out the form

Modernizing the MBTA Fare System

Cubic readers are being installed on select buses as part of a testing phase for the new fare collection system

We are modernizing our fare payment system and will be transitioning to a new system that makes it easier for riders to pay their fares. The new system will be rolled out in phases, starting with the launch of contactless payments in summer 2024.

Learn more about our changing fare payment system

Tap to Ride

You can now pay for travel on the bus and subway by tapping your contactless debit/credit card, phone, or watch with a mobile wallet.

Learn more about contactless payment on the T

Watch our contactless payment travel tips video

Testing New Ways to Pay

In summer 2024, the MBTA tested our contactless payment system on bus and subway. This helped us troubleshoot the equipment and collect feedback on riders’ experiences using contactless cards and devices.

These readers are now available to general public.

Learn more about this test phase

Change Ticket Elimination

On March 1, 2024, we phased out change tickets—the paper tickets that are dispensed onboard buses and street-level Green and Mattapan line trolleys when fare overpayment with cash occurs —in favor of CharlieCards.

Please note, these CharlieCard dispensers will only be available on buses. For street-level trolleys, we encourage riders to use exact change or CharlieCards.

View the tutorial below to learn how to load a CharlieCard with cash onboard buses and street-level trolleys.

Fare Policy Changes

The MBTA Board approved a number of changes that introduced a new income-eligible reduced fare program, established permanent holiday weekend prices on the Commuter Rail, and more.

Learn more about the 2024 fare changes

Income-Eligible Reduced Fare Program

In September 2024, the MBTA launched a reduced fares program for riders who are enrolled in state assistance between the ages of 18 – 64. This program expands access to reduced fares for many of our riders. As with our other reduced fares programs, riders can apply for the income-eligible reduced fare program in person and online.

Learn more about the income-eligible reduced fare program