Contactless payment now accepted on bus and subway

Question

As of yesterday, you can tap your phone with Apple Pay/Google Wallet or any contactless credit card to pay your fare on the bus and subway in Boston. Very useful for tourists as you don't have to buy a separate ticket/card. The readers used are the same as in NYC.

Unlike NYC however, there is no fare capping system set up. The MBTA is considering it for the future, but not yet. So if you'll be riding frequently, consider buying an unlimited pass from a vending machine on a CharlieTicket/CharlieCard the same way as always, sold in 1-day, 7-day, and 30-day periods. Existing CharlieTickets/CharlieCards continue to be sold and accepted and should be tapped on the old readers, which for now, are still in operation alongside the new ones.

Answer

Boston’s MBTA has now enabled contactless payment on buses and the subway. This means you can use Apple Pay, Google Wallet, or any contactless credit/debit card to pay your fare directly by tapping at the fare reader. This is particularly convenient for tourists who don’t want to purchase a separate ticket or transit card.

Here’s what you need to know:

Ease of Use: Simply tap your contactless payment method at the reader when boarding a bus or entering the subway station. The system charges your card the correct fare automatically.
Old Readers Still Work: Existing CharlieTicket and CharlieCard readers remain in operation. You can continue using these cards as usual for single rides or unlimited passes.
Unlimited Passes: If you plan to ride frequently, purchasing a 1-day, 7-day, or 30-day unlimited pass from a vending machine on a CharlieTicket or CharlieCard is still recommended. These passes are not currently available through contactless credit card taps.
No Fare Capping Yet: Unlike NYC’s system, the MBTA does not currently offer fare capping for contactless payments. You will be charged per ride, so frequent riders may still benefit from purchasing an unlimited pass.

Additional tips:

Make sure your phone or card is compatible with NFC/contactless payments.
If using a phone wallet, ensure your device is unlocked and the correct payment method is selected.
Keep your CharlieCard or CharlieTicket as a backup if you encounter any technical issues with contactless payment.
Check for updates from the MBTA if they implement fare capping in the future, which could change the best option for frequent riders.

Overall, the new contactless payment option makes riding the MBTA simpler and more convenient for occasional users and tourists, while traditional cards remain a solid choice for frequent riders.

Contactless payment now accepted on bus and subway

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