Income-Eligible Reduced Fare

Step 1: Sign up for MyCharlie

Sign up for a MyCharlie account to apply and to receive emails about your application status.

Step 2: Verify your information

Choose whether you want to automatically verify your eligibility using your ID, or if you want to manually upload documentation.

• If you automatically verify, you won’t need to upload anything, and you’ll get your approval decision right away.
• If you choose to manually upload, you’ll need your ID and proof of enrollment in a state assistance program. This can include a picture of your welcome letter or a screenshot of your account that shows your name, date of coverage, and coverage type. We’ll email you an approval decision within two business days.

Note: If you want to use your MASSGrant enrollment to qualify, you must use the manual upload process.

Step 3: Choose how to get your card

You can have your card mailed to you, to the Charlie Service Center, or to a partner location. It will take about 7 – 10 business days to arrive.

Visit the Charlie Service Center or a partner location to apply in person. You’ll need a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, passport, or state ID. Documents without a photo will not be accepted.

You’ll also need to show proof of enrollment in a state assistance program. You can use one of the following:

• A picture of your enrollment or benefits letter that shows your name and is dated within the last three months.
• A screenshot of your enrollment from the “My Enrollments” section of your Health Connector account, the MassHealth Provider Online Service Center (POSC), or the “Benefits Detail” section of your DTA account. Make sure it shows your name and an active status.
• An award letter from MASSGrant or a screenshot from the MassAid portal confirming your award. You can also use a financial aid letter from your school if MASSGrant is listed on it. Your document must be from the current (or most recent) academic year.

You can load cash value and LinkPasses onto your reduced fare CharlieCard at: 

• Fare vending machines 
• The Charlie Service Center
• Retail sales locations
• Fare boxes on buses and trolleys at street-level stops (cash value and one-way fares only) 

To pay your fare, simply tap your card on the fare target at any fare gate or onboard fare box. 

Your reduced fare CharlieCard makes you eligible to purchase discounted Commuter Rail tickets and passes: 

• On board (show your card to the conductor) 
• At ticket windows (show your card to ticket window staff) 
• At fare vending machines (tap your card to pay 50% of the standard one-way fare or purchase a monthly pass) 
• At retail sales locations (show your card to the cashier) 
• Via mTicket: Enter your card serial card number on the Reduced Fares page under the “My Account” section in your mTicket app. The reduced fare will then automatically appear when purchasing a ticket. 

For Zone 1A travel on the Fairmount Line, reduced fare cardholders can tap their CharlieCard at Fairmount Line validators before boarding, just like for the bus or subway. Please remember to take the proof-of-purchase receipt from the validator to show to conductors. 

Your reduced fare CharlieCard makes you eligible to purchase discounted ferry tickets and passes: 

• On board (show your card to the ticket agent or ferry official) 
• At ticket windows (show your card to ticket agent) 
• Via mTicket: Enter your card serial card number on the Reduced Fares page under the “My Account” section in your mTicket app. The reduced fare will then automatically appear. 

Please note: The Salem ferry is operated seasonally by its municipality. Prices and discount options may vary depending on what time you take your trip. 

Learn more about taking the ferry

If you’re enrolled in the income-eligible reduced fare program, you can receive discounts on any trip with The RIDE. First, you’ll need to link your reduced fare CharlieCard to your RIDE account.

You can then continue to add funds to your RIDE account as you normally would, and your discount will be automatically applied when you book a trip.

Note: You do not need your reduced fare card to pay your RIDE fare—it is only used to validate your reduced fare program enrollment when you first link your account.