Tap to Ride with Reduced Fares
With the new MBTA fare system on bus, Green Line and Mattapan trolleys, and subway, riders enrolled in reduced fare programs can link their benefits to their contactless credit/debit card, phone, or watch. The Charlie digital assistant—located at the bottom right of the Charlie website—can help you in a few easy steps.
Riders enrolled in any of the following reduced fare or free programs are eligible:
- Blind Access CharlieCard
- Senior CharlieCard
- Transportation Access Pass
- Youth Pass
This process is only recommended for reduced fare riders who pay as they go. Riders who use weekly or monthly passes should continue to use their reduced fare card.
How to Use the Charlie Digital Assistant
Before you can connect your benefits to other payment methods, the Charlie digital assistant will guide you through a few steps.
Make sure that you have your reduced fare CharlieCard on hand.
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Step 1: Register for a Charlie account
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To link your benefits, you will need a Charlie account. If you don’t have an account, you can register on the Charlie website or the digital assistant will help you create one.
Once you log into your Charlie account, the new Charlie system will allow you to register your contactless cards, phone or watch.
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Step 2: Verify your reduced fare benefits
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The digital assistant will prompt you to enter your birthdate and reduced fare card number to confirm your benefits.
Most reduced fare CharlieCard numbers are located at the bottom left, as shown in the example below.
Note: Information provided to the Charlie digital assistant is secure. This information is only used to verify benefits.
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Step 3: Link your benefits to your contactless card
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You can select a contactless debit or credit card that's already on file, add a new physical card, or add a card from your mobile wallet.
You can only link your benefits to one contactless credit/debit card, phone, or watch at a time.
If you are a new reduced fares applicant, you will have to wait 2-3 business days after your application is approved before linking your reduced benefits to contactless payment methods.
Note: Your reduced fare CharlieCard will remain active. You should continue to use it to pay your fare on modes where the new Charlie system is not available, such as Commuter Rail and ferry.
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Step 4: Tap to Ride
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Once you're ready, you'll be able to tap your contactless card, phone, watch, or your existing reduced fare CharlieCard to pay your fare.
Be sure to use same payment method each time you travel so you can be charged correctly.
Customer Support
For in-person help with using the digital assistant, you can visit the Mobility Center or Charlie Service Center.
For technical support, you can fill out the customer support form. Additionally, you can call us at 617-222-3200, 711 for TTY, or VRS for ASL callers.
Upcoming Fare Projects
Reduced Fares
![Rider entering fare gate](https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/styles/max_2600x2600/public/media/2023-01/Reduced_Fare_GovCenter%20110222-2877.jpg?itok=9C71QYz1)
Some customers are eligible for reduced fares or can ride the T for free.
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.
Upcoming Fare Projects
Reduced Fares
![Rider entering fare gate](https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/styles/max_2600x2600/public/media/2023-01/Reduced_Fare_GovCenter%20110222-2877.jpg?itok=9C71QYz1)
Some customers are eligible for reduced fares or can ride the T for free.
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.