Fare Transformation
- Timeline: 2017 – 2024
- 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
- Go online to manage your account 24 hours a day
Building a Better T
As part of our $8 billion, 5-year capital investment plan, we're renovating stations, modernizing fare collection systems, upgrading services for our buses, subways, and ferries, and improving the accessibility of the entire system.
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Our current fare payment technology and policies are outdated and overly complex.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 a simplified 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.
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
2020
- Fairmount Line riders can tap using the CharlieCard
- CharlieCards are available from community locations like libraries and Boys & Girls Clubs
- Upgrades to subway fare gates, resulting in fewer gates out of service
- Pay the same fare for CharlieCards, tickets, and cash
- Youth Pass holders get half-price Zone 1A Commuter Rail Fares
Phase 2: Easier to get a CharlieCard
Starting in 2021
- Get a CharlieCard at fare vending machines in any subway station
- Apply for or renew a reduced fare CharlieCard more easily (Senior CharlieCards, youth passes, blind access cards, and Transportation Access Passes)
- See fares being collected consistently on Commuter Rail using gates at terminal stations
- Field test of the new reader technology
Phase 3: New ways to pay
Starting in 2022
- Tap using a contactless credit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay on select subway lines and bus routes
- Rear-door boarding at our busiest bus stops along select bus routes
- Pilot for the new Charlie website and mobile app begins
- Get the new Charlie Card at a growing number of retailers
Phase 4: Faster bus and Green Line trains
Starting in 2023
- Tap using your phone, contactless credit card, or the new Charlie Card on all subway lines and bus routes
- Board at any door on buses and Green Line trains
- Use the new Charlie website or mobile app to manage your account and reload on the go
- Get the new Charlie Card and reload at many bus stops and even more retail locations
Phase 5: Seamless payments on all modes
Starting in 2024
- Use the same payment method to tap and transfer between all MBTA modes
- More robust account management for employers and self-service options for riders
- Improved overall service from better ridership and revenue data
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.
Throughout 2021, we’ll begin phasing out the old CharlieTickets for new, tappable versions. This will be done in conjunction with upgrades to our fare gates and fare vending machines, so riders will be able to purchase the new CharlieTickets as more upgraded fare gates come online.
Tappable CharlieTickets
The new CharlieTickets will be 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 will only be dispensed from legacy fare vending machines. They have a black magnetic stripe on the front. Riders insert these tickets at legacy fare gates.
Two upgraded fare vending machines are now publicly available at Charles/MGH and Malden Center stations. 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
- Receive change for overpayment in dollar bills (instead of coins)
Throughout 2021, we’ll replace the remaining fare vending machines in all of our stations.
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.
In winter 2020, we began installing new card readers on buses operating on routes 28 and 39.
Starting in early 2021, we will install additional readers at Forest Hills and Ruggles.
The field demo will test the hardware for the new card reader technology we’re piloting in 2022. A small group of participants will be supplied with the new cards and will provide us with feedback regularly. We expect the demo to run through spring, though we may extend the timeline if we need to test further.
How This Impacts Riders
The readers, which are for testing purposes only and are limited to field demo participants, will be installed at station faregates and next to the existing fare boxes on buses. Please note that they are not compatible with current CharlieCards and CharlieTickets—you’ll still use the regular card and ticket readers to pay for your fare.
If you'd like to share general feedback about the new readers, email us at charlie@mbta.com.
On October 1st, 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
During the first phase of this project, 50% of our subway fare gates will no longer accept paper CharlieTickets. 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.
- Rolling out new fare vending machines that dispense both CharlieCards and new tappable CharlieTickets by spring 2021.
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.
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.