Fare Transformation
Updated February 2023
- Timeline: 2017 – 2025
- Status: In progress
The MBTA's Fare Transformation will make paying for transit easier and more convenient. Upon completion, you'll be able to:
- Tap and board at any door with a fare card, smartphone, or contactless credit card
- Reload using cash or credit card at vending machines at all stations and some bus stops
- Manage your account online 24 hours a day
Why We're Doing This Work
Our current fare payment technology and policies are outdated and overly complex. Fare Transformation will completely replace this system to ensure equal access to an updated fare payment system that works—and will work for many years to come.
The new system will also improve the T as a whole by allowing us to operate more efficiently and invest in future changes and growth, meaning that you’ll be able to get where you’re going faster.
What We're Doing Now
Learn more about the upcoming work we're doing as part of the Fare Transformation project and how it may affect your commute.
We’re upgrading fare vending machines across the system, starting with the Orange Line. These upgraded machines have new features that allow riders to:
- Purchase a CharlieCard or reload an existing one
- Purchase the new tappable CharlieTickets
- Pay with contactless payment methods using the tap target
We completed upgrading fare vending machines across the system in December 2022.
Note: Upgraded fare vending machines will not dispense the old, insertable CharlieTickets. These are being phased out and will be replaced by the tappable version.
As a next step in the rollout of our new fare collection system, we're installing new devices in vehicles, stations, and bus stops. These new devices include:
- Readers on buses and Green Line trolleys and on top of fare gates in subway stations
- New fare vending machines in subway stations
- Streetscape fare vending machines, a new type of fare vending machine, will be installed at select bus stops.
These new devices will be installed alongside our existing fare system and will be used for field testing over the next year.
Installation began with buses used on the SL4 and SL5 routes and has continued on buses used on other routes. Readers will also be installed on Green Line trolleys in the winter and spring of 2023. Installation of devices in subway stations will start at Orange Line stations before expanding to other stations. Installation of new fare vending machines is also planned for Nubian Square to support testing on the SL4 and SL5 bus routes.
Note: These readers and fare vending machines are for testing purposes only and are not yet ready for public use.
We’re phasing out the old CharlieTickets for new, tappable versions. Riders can purchase the new CharlieTickets at new fare vending machines across the system.
Please use up any remaining value on your old CharlieTicket by summer 2023. Otherwise, you’ll need to submit a request to consolidate the balance onto a CharlieCard.
Learn how to consolidate your CharlieTickets/CharlieCards
Tappable CharlieTickets
The new CharlieTickets are dispensed from upgraded fare vending machines in subway stations. They do not have a black magnetic stripe on the front. Riders can tap these tickets at upgraded fare gates.
Insertable CharlieTickets
The old CharlieTickets, which are insertable and have a black magnetic stripe on the front, will be discontinued in summer 2023.
In winter 2020, we began installing new card readers on buses operating on routes 28 and 39.
Starting in early 2021, we installed additional readers at Forest Hills and Ruggles and conducted a field demo to test the new reader technology.
A small group of participants were supplied with the new cards and provided us with feedback regularly. We expect the field demo results to help us further improve the reader technology and our rider experience.
If you'd like to share general feedback about the new readers, email us at charlie@mbta.com.
On October 1, 2020, the MBTA began upgrading all gates within the rapid transit system.
Our fare gates have not been upgraded in a long time, so this work is necessary to ensure the reliability of the existing fare collection system and continued compliance with Payment Card Industry (PCI) standards. These upgrades will also support additional functionality that we’re adding—like the ability to accept tappable CharlieTickets.
How This Impacts Riders
We have completed upgrading 77% of our fare gates across the system. We recognize that this is an inconvenience for riders, so we’ve put some plans in place to help keep your trip as smooth as possible. This includes:
- Supplying staff with extra CharlieCards—which can be used at all gates throughout this transition—so riders who want to switch can load them on the spot.
- Installing wayfinding signage in stations to help riders find the correct gate based on what fare media they’re using.
- New fare vending machines that dispense both CharlieCards and new tappable CharlieTickets by spring 2021.
Project Timeline
Fare Transformation will roll out in phases over the next several years. Issues that directly affect our riders will be prioritized first. Then, toward the end of the project timeline, we’ll focus on delivering system-wide benefits.
Phase 1: Key frustrations addressed
Completed
- Pay the same fare whether using a CharlieCard, CharlieTicket, or cash
- Get a CharlieCard from more community-based locations
- See fewer subway gates out of service or in need of repairs
- Take advantage of new fare options being piloted
- Tap on to Fairmount Line using a CharlieCard
Phase 2: Easier to get a CharlieCard
Completed
- Get a CharlieCard at fare vending machines in any subway station
- More easily apply for or renew a reduced fare pass (for seniors, youth, and people with disabilities)
- See Commuter Rail fares being collected consistently using fare gates at terminal stations
Phase 3: Testing new ways to pay
Riders can participate in a test phase that will allow them to:
- Tap using a contactless credit card, Apply Pay, or Google Pay on the Orange Line, Green Line, and select bus routes
- Be the first to have the new Charlie Card and mobile app
- Board at the rear door at the busiest stops on select bus routes
- Get and reload a Charlie Card at a growing number of retailers
Phase 4: Faster Green Line trains and buses
- Tap using a mobile device, contactless credit card, or the new Charlie Card on all subway and bus routes
- Board at any door on Green Line trains and buses
- Use the Charlie website to manage your account online
- Download the Charlie mobile app to view your balance and reload on the go
- Get a Charlie Card and reload at many bus stops and even more retail locations
Phase 5: Seamless payments on all modes
- Use the same fare media to tap no matter where you’re traveling
- Tap on and transfer between all MBTA modes
- Additional self-service institutional pass functionality—for both employers and employees
- See overall improvements to MBTA services stemming from better ridership and revenue data
Past Events
Downloads
Contact Information
For all queries and comments related to Fare Transformation, please contact us at charlie@mbta.com or 857-308-2322.
Upgraded Fare Vending Machines
We’ve upgraded our fare vending machines with new features that will help make it easier to pay your fare.
Share Your Feedback
We're asking the public to help guide our decisions as we roll out the Fare Transformation project over the next several years.
Upgraded Fare Vending Machines
We’ve upgraded our fare vending machines with new features that will help make it easier to pay your fare.
Share Your Feedback
We're asking the public to help guide our decisions as we roll out the Fare Transformation project over the next several years.