Introducing Fare Checks

Fare Engagement Representatives

Fare Engagement representatives are MBTA employees trained to answer rider questions about fares and to check fares.

Starting October 2024, representatives will share information about fare payment options and the upcoming fare checking process at GLX stations. You can recognize them by their green polo shirts with the yellow Fare Engagement logo.  

How the Fare Check Process Works

You can continue to use cash, a CharlieTicket, or a CharlieCard to pay your fare on the Green Line in addition to contactless payment.

Note: We encourage riders who use cash to load a CharlieCard at a fare vending machine before boarding to allow for fare validation. Receipts and change tickets will not be provided as proof of fare payment. 

Learn more about how to pay your fare

1. Choose your preferred payment method. If you are using contactless payment, tap on the Charlie reader. If you are using a CharlieCard, tap on the fare box or fare gate.
2. Staff will not be present on every trip. Expect periodic fare checks when traveling. 
3. Fare Engagement staff will have handheld devices to verify fare payment. During these checks, all riders onboard will be asked to verify their fare payment to avoid bias. 
4. Keep your method of payment on hand during your trip to be ready if a fare check occurs. This can include a contactless credit or debit card, a phone or watch with a mobile wallet, or a CharlieCard.
5. Tap your method of payment on the handheld device to verify your fare. 

Fare Warnings and Citations

If a Fare Engagement representative asks you to verify your fare and you have not paid, they will give you a warning and inform you how to pay for your next trip.

Failures to pay after a warning will result in a civil citation that will require you to pay a fine.

Staff will ask for your ID to take note of the warning or citation. If you do not have your ID, they will ask for your information to be manually filled out. In the event that you refuse to provide your information, you will be asked to de-board the vehicle.

A citation fine is based on:

• How many times one has been cited before
• The type of fare violation, including, lack of payment or use of another rider’s reduced fare benefits

Riders can choose to pay their fine or appeal the citation either on the basis of fact or if fine payment would create financial hardship.

Learn more about fare citations and fines

Riders who cannot afford full fare prices can check if they are eligible for reduced fare benefits. If you receive a fare non-compliance citation before enrolling into a reduced fare program, you can have your citation waived.

Learn more about reduced fares

Contact Us

For questions and comments related to the Fare Engagement program, please contact us at publicengagement@mbta.com.