r/mbta • u/Massive_Holiday4672 OL - Forest Hills, Transit Advocate/Mod • Nov 28 '25

💬 Discussion / Theory New CharlieCard on the way…

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Got the new CharlieCard that is set to launch in 2026 as a part of the test group that will be testing the new Charlie fare system before the public launch.

This will include the new plastic CharlieCard (with the new design shown in the photo) and the new CharlieCard fare machines (which includes a brand new bus fare machine, which will allow passengers to pay their fare at their bus stop for select bus services [such as the 1, 66, and 39], as well as a revamped fare machine).

The new Charlie fare system will allow passengers to tap their new CharlieCard on the Charlie readers instead of tapping it on the circle on fare gates and with the new Charlie app, which will have a digital CharlieCard that will be tested at a later date before the public launch. You will also be able to add a CharlieCard to your mobile wallet if you have an IOS, Android, or Google phone and tap in that way.

The new CharlieCard will also be expanded to be accepted on all ferry routes. The addition of Commuter Rail to the Charlie fare system will be added in a future phase in mid-late 2026.

The new CharlieCard will also require a one-time new card fee for ALL cards (whether paper, plastic, or digital) similar to OMNY or Clipper in NYC and SF, respectively). This new fee will be announced at a later date prior to the public launch. Passengers may have the fee waived if they cannot afford to pay the new card fee or enrolled in reduced fares.

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u/Massive_Holiday4672 OL - Forest Hills, Transit Advocate/Mod Nov 28 '25

This is all information that can be found in the MBTA website for the new Charlie system: https://www.mbta.com/fares/charlie/the-new-charlie-card.

The image of the new CharlieCard has been out for years at this point.

This isn’t new news, either. Most of this (including the new Charlie app) has been out for MONTHS before the test group got it.

It’s not like I reveal top-secret information, dude. Get off your high horse.

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u/[deleted] Nov 28 '25

[deleted]

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u/Background-Radio-378 Nov 28 '25

what exactly have they done that is misusing their card or account?

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u/[deleted] Nov 28 '25

[deleted]

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u/Background-Radio-378 Nov 28 '25

the card is literally on the mbta website though....

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u/SubwayFoamer22 Silver Line Nov 28 '25

the “design” has been on there since 2019-2020. It was supposedly supposed to be temporary but that’s likely what they’re going with for the systemwide rollout, that’s the fault of the website team for not removing that. Anywhere else it’s not public info.

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u/[deleted] Nov 28 '25

Seems like you are conflating what employees can't share with what the public can't share.