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| Location | Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
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| Launched | December 4, 2006 |
| Technology | |
| Manager | Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |
| Currency | USD |
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| Variants |
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| Website | www |
The CharlieCard is a contactless smart card used for fare payment for transportation in the Boston area. It is the primary payment method for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and several regional public transport systems in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. It is used on the MBTA's subway and bus services, but is not currently accepted on the MBTA Commuter Rail and ferries.
The card was introduced on December 4, 2006, to enhance the technology of the transit system and eliminate the burden of carrying and collecting tokens.[1] It replaced the metal token, which was phased out in 2006.[2]
Work to convert to a second-generation electronic fare system (AFC 2.0) began in 2017. The first public phase of the conversion – contactless card and smartphone payments on the subway and bus systems – was launched on August 1, 2024. Second-generation CharlieCards, a new mobile app, and new fare machines are expected to be placed in service in 2025, with the system extended to commuter rail and ferry in 2026.
- ^ Daniel, Mac (2006-11-12). "Starts and Stops—Sign of winter: plow drivers sought". The Boston Globe. p. B2. Retrieved 2006-11-12.
- ^ MBTA bids farewell to an era the last brass tokens are sold Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine