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.
Contact Customer Support
For issues with fare payment, accidental taps, 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.
Tap to Ride
Starting in summer 2024, you’ll be able to pay for travel on the bus and subway by tapping your contactless debit/credit card, phone, or watch with a mobile wallet.
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.
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.
2024 Proposed Fare Changes
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.
Income-Eligible Reduced Fare Program
In September 2024, the MBTA is launching a reduced fares program for riders with low income between the ages of 18 – 64. This program will expand access to reduced fares for many of our riders. As with our other reduced fares programs, riders will be able to apply for the income-eligible reduced fare program in person and online.
Fares Overview
Contact Customer Support
For issues with fare payment, accidental taps, 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.