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The MBTA is testing a new Charlie Card with select participants; it is not yet generally available in Apple Wallet. The planned card is intended to work as a physical or mobile card, but the agency has not announced a public release date or the fee for adding a mobile Charlie Card. For now, riders can tap eligible contactless payment cards, phones, or watches on MBTA buses and subways—a different feature from adding a Charlie Card to Wallet.
What the MBTA is testing
The MBTA describes Charlie as a new fare payment system being introduced in stages. Its current test phase focuses on the new Charlie Card and includes select participants. The agency says testing with real riders helps it assess whether the system works for the people who use it. (MBTA Charlie; MBTA fare projects)
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The planned card will be available as a physical or mobile card, with the ability to load cash value and passes online and at new Charlie fare vending machines. The MBTA says the new card is intended for bus, subway, and ferry travel. It has not said when the card will be released to the general public. (About the new Charlie system)
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No. The current Apple Pay option for MBTA transit uses an eligible payment card in Apple Wallet, not an MBTA transit card. Apple’s Boston guidance says riders cannot currently add a transit card through that payment route, and weekly and monthly passes are not supported there. The mobile Charlie Card is a separate planned feature that remains in testing. (Apple’s Boston transit guidance; MBTA)
#1 Best Overall
- Wish friends or family members a happy holiday with a festive Christmas card and a gift card or cash.
- Holiday card pack includes 36 cards in six cheerful designs (6 of each design) featuring Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and friends. Each design includes a unique sentiment inside.
- Christmas money or gift card holders can accommodate any standard size gift card and are perfect for friends, family, and kids.
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How current contactless payment differs from the new card
| Payment option | Status | Modes stated by the sources | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contactless debit or credit card, phone, or watch using a mobile wallet | Available now | Bus and subway, according to the MBTA | Apple says its Boston contactless guidance does not cover commuter rail or commuter ferry. It describes payment cards, not an MBTA transit card or weekly/monthly passes in Wallet. |
| New Charlie Card, physical or mobile | In testing; public release planned for later | Bus, subway, and ferry | The MBTA has not stated a public release date or the mobile-card fee. |
| New Charlie fare vending machines | Part of the staged rollout; described as coming soon and in testing | Stations and bus stops, according to the MBTA overview | These are new machines in the rollout, not a description of current fare vending machine availability. |
Mode descriptions differ by payment method. The MBTA lists current contactless bank-card, phone, and watch payment for bus and subway. Apple’s Boston guidance excludes commuter rail and commuter ferry from its stated contactless acceptance. The planned new Charlie Card is described as covering bus, subway, and ferry. (MBTA fare projects; Apple transit guidance; MBTA new fare system)
Using Apple Pay on the T today
For current contactless payment, Apple says a rider can use an eligible credit, debit, or prepaid payment card in Apple Wallet with Express Mode. The same payment card can be used on an iPhone or Apple Watch when Express Mode is enabled. This pays with the linked payment card; it does not load a Charlie Card or a weekly or monthly pass. (Apple’s Boston transit guidance)
Rank #2
- Includes 10 cards and envelopes.
- Message(s): It's Christmas!; Hope your holidays are merry as can be!
- Makes a great choice for friends, family, loved ones, classmates, neighbors, coworkers and more.
- Each card measures approx. 4.25" W x 8.25" H.
- Printed on high quality paper stock, Hallmark greeting cards are made with paper from responsibly managed forests.
Keep a physical payment card separate from the phone or watch when tapping. Apple warns that presenting both near the reader can cause “card clash,” in which both may be charged. (Apple transit guidance)
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What is still unknown
- Public release date: The MBTA says the features will be released later, but does not give a date in the reviewed information.
- Mobile-card fee: The MBTA says a fee will be required when adding a new mobile Charlie Card and that its amount will be announced later.
Those details should be treated as unannounced until the MBTA publishes specifics. (MBTA new fare system)
Quick Recap
Rank #3
- FRONT MESSAGE: Merry Christmas!
- INSIDE MESSAGE: It's that favorite time of year—sending happy Christmas wishes, and something fun for you!
- DESIGN & FINISHINGS: This Peanuts Christmas card features a delightful foil finish and a bold, festive design with Snoopy. This card includes a slot for holding cash, checks, and gift cards
- SIZE & PACKAGING: Card measures 5.375 in. x 8.25 in. Envelope included.
- RECIPIENTS & OCCASIONS: This card is perfect for sending a thank you or Christmas wish to any friends, family, mail carrier, hairdresser, barber, house cleaner, babysitter, landscaper, or doorman
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