Upcoming Fare Projects

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.

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

The MBTA will be testing a contactless payment system that makes it easier for riders to pay their fares.

As we start rolling out this system, you may see new devices on vehicles and in stations that look different than what you’re used to. These readers are for testing purposes only and are not yet available to the 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