Fare policy
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MBTA’s $2.4 Million Fare Enforcement Team Issued 117 Warnings, Zero Fines During Its First 11 Months
Station data suggest that the mere presence of civilian fare enforcement agents contributed to a small increase in fare gate payments last year.
August 18, 2026
Regional Transit Authority Ridership Is Way Up, Thanks to Fare-Free Service
Data indicates that ridership surges in the years after agencies introduce fare-free operations.
June 23, 2026
Fares, Frozen: South Station’s New Fare Gates Are Already Out of Service
Snow and cold temperatures have sidelined the new fare gates at South Station out of service barely a month after their installation.
February 3, 2026
We Tried the New CharlieCard. Here’s What to Know
The new CharlieCard provides several benefits, but riders should also be aware of the military vendor that's operating the new system.
December 15, 2025
MeVa Study Finds Benefits of Axing Fares ‘Far Exceed’ Lost Revenue
The MeVa Advisory Board voted on Thursday to adopt a "permanent" fare-free policy on all its routes.
February 6, 2025
Cape Cod Opts Out of State Program for Fare-Free Buses
This story was originally published in the Nov. 21 2024 issue of the Provincetown Independent, and is reprinted here with permission.
November 26, 2024
‘It’s Good Savings’ – Over 13,000 Riders Are Already Benefiting From Reduced-Fare CharlieCards
The MBTA has approved 13,625 applications for its new low-income fare program as of Thursday Nov. 7, roughly two months after the T started accepting applications for the program.
November 12, 2024
Gov. Healey Announces $30 Million For Fare-Free RTA Service
State lawmakers set aside $30 million in funding to help regional transit authorities offer free service to their communities.
October 25, 2024
A Rider’s Guide to the MBTA’s Looming Financial Crisis
The agency needs $700 million in new state funding to avoid draconian service cuts next year. Governor Healey promises "we're not going back, we're full steam ahead."
August 23, 2024
Here’s How to Apply for the MBTA’s New Low-Income Fare Program
The MBTA has soft-launched its application process for its new low-income fare program, which will offer half-priced fares to income-eligible households starting later this year.
August 22, 2024