Boston MBTA Can You Use Tap to Pay with New Contactless System

Boston's MBTA has recently introduced a new contactless payment system, making it easier than ever to pay for fares on the go. This system allows you to use tap to pay with your credit or debit card.

The new contactless payment system is part of the MBTA's efforts to modernize and improve the customer experience.

You can now use your credit or debit card to pay for fares on buses, trains, and other MBTA vehicles.

The new system to be introduced is called contactless payment, which will allow MBTA passengers to pay for their rides with just the tap of a smartphone or credit card.

The system will roll out on Aug. 1 and will be available on buses, at subway stations, and on the Green Line and Mattapan Line trolleys.

Riders who want to use the contactless payment option can link their benefits to the credit card, debit card, smartphone, or watch they want to use for payments.

The new fare readers began showing up across the MBTA system in 2023, but the efforts to overhaul the MBTA’s fare collection process were plagued by delays and millions of dollars in budget increases.

Passengers can manage the contactless option they want to use through an online Charlie account at Charlie.mbta.com.

The new system is intended to save time for riders who want to avoid purchasing or reloading a CharlieCard.

Riders can check their contactless payments through an online Charlie account where they can manage charges, view trip history, and more.

Sam Noubert, a rider, warns others to keep their belongings away from the readers to avoid accidental charges. He's not impressed with the new system.

The MBTA spent a billion dollars on this new system, which is already showing signs of being buggy. According to Sam, the process for getting a refund will likely be complicated.

JimK suggests a simple solution: make the T free for all riders. This would eliminate the need for a new boarding pass system.

Cambridgejoe thinks the system is not only buggy but also a bad idea. He believes that the MBTA and state government pushed it through without listening to public input, and that someone must have received campaign kickbacks to make it happen.

The MBTA's contactless payment system is rolling out on August 1, allowing passengers to pay for their rides with just the tap of a smartphone or credit card.

You can use your credit card, debit card, smartphone, or watch for contactless payments. Riders in reduced fare programs, such as seniors and students, can link their benefits to the contactless card or device they want to use.

The new fare readers have been showing up across the MBTA system since 2023, but there were some delays and budget increases along the way. The MBTA team worked hard to get the system up and running, and they're proud of the progress they've made.

You can manage the contactless option you want to use through an online Charlie account at Charlie.mbta.com. This is where you can also check your contactless payments, view your trip history, and more.

Riders who use the contactless payment system can save time on their trips, as it's a one-step option for pay-as-you-go travel.