CharlieCards
CharlieCards
CharlieCards
All of Them (as far as I know)
CharlieCards
Kona Yingxue He
Disclaimers and Scope
Info and Sources:
This presentation was made in August 2025. All of this is “to my best knowledge” and I’ve added sources in the speaker notes where I can, but some info is vague or literally just from random people’s memory. Please add a comment with a source if you have info to contribute or correct, and especially if you know of other designs or uh want to sell me something I don’t have. <3
Scope:
This presentation mainly covers the rigid plastic CharlieCards. We have so few commemoratives compared to other cities! Also, I’m not a token or ticket nerd, so my info on those is very limited. I also am not opening the can of worms that is memorabilia. Pins, keychains, patches, clothing, model trains…sorryyy there are way too many and I only collect them when I happen upon them.
I also collect metro cards from other places I’ve been, but not nearly this thoroughly. Except for Seattle’s Orca Cards. But that’s a rabbit hole for a different day :)
- Love, Kona
What I already have
(spoiler: not a lot)
Default Card
Year released - 2006
The normal one~
Free!
Released in 2006, replacing the metal token. The front was designed by ? and has remained unchanged since the 2006 debut.
*the reverse of the card did change since 2006, but more on that later
Who is Charlie? See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M.T.A._(song) and history at end of this presentation
Fun fact: other names considered included “The Fare Cod” (like “Cahd”) and “The T Go Card”
Perq Card
Year released - 2018
In 2018 the MBTA rebranded their tax-advantaged corporate pass program to the “Perq Card.” The original employer pass program in Boston actually began much earlier, in 1974 with one single pilot business!
Wording is unclear but I am assuming that the Perq design was released in 2018 with the rebranded program. They were likely default design cards until then.
Thank you to Reddit u/CoolGuyMisterFunk for giving me one
2022 U.S. Open
Year released - 2022
Released in 2022 for the 122nd U.S. Open Tournament at The Country Club, Brookline, MA
I got an email when these were released, with a link to order mine. The card was mailed to me. 7-Day passes were also available but I only ordered a 1-day LinkPass so I don’t know if the designs were different. (boo past Kona)
Like I said, not a lot :’)
CIC/Venture Cafe Cambridge
Year released - ?
Card was made by CIC/Venture Cafe Cambridge. I called in 2024 ish and they didn’t make them anymore. The receptionist chuckled. I later found this one on the SIDEWALK outside CIC yes I know I am God’s favorite
What I don’t have (yet)
Default Card (old)
Year released - unsure but ended 2015 ish
Same front, slightly different back
Old version had larger, cropped graphic and no tap icon
New version introduced around 2015 with new fare machines (source - word of mouth)
People usually don’t pay attention to the back…so you may still have one of these and don’t know it!
Old version
Current version
Default Card (Japanese)
Year released - 2012?
Handed out to plane passengers in Logan airport to celebrate new international flights that flew direct from Tokyo Narita.
The original plan was to work with MassPort and install a machine that would dispense CharlieCards in both languages. This never ended up happening. Speculation - possibly fizzled out because the public started asking for more languages than the agency could feasibly keep in print?
WardMaps sells magnets with this design though
Default Card (upcoming)
Year released - future
New design and new card that will be compatible with the new tap fareboxes
(I am very sad about the boring new design)
Monthly LinkPass - Forest Hills Station Design
Year released - unsure but ended in 2024
The background image on this card is the interior of Forest Hills Station
I got this design in the mail in Jan 2024 when I ordered my first auto-pay monthly LinkPass BUT THEN I LOST IT AAAAA and the replacement in May 2024 was the default design :’(
What I don’t have (yet)
“Special Qualifications”
Employee Card
Year released - ?
???
Never seen an employee card but I would assume they look different
I love u Phillip Eng
Can I see the employee card design pretty please
Bike Cage Access
Year released - 2008? Ended 2018
Originally made specifically to provide access to Pedal and Park bike cages at T stations, the first of which were installed in Alewife and Forest Hills in 2008. In 2018, the special design was discontinued as bike cage access was made an add-on to any existing normal CharlieCard.
This is genuinely the best resolution image I can find anywhere of it. I want one so so bad.
Student
Year released - ?
Similar front, but with orange or purple frame and the purple girl is in a different spot (and her shirt is blank for some reason)
Purple girl
Except this one which has the usual design with the word “Student” added
Reduced Fare
Year released - ?
Similar front, but with blue frame and the purple girl is in a different spot (and her shirt is blank for some reason)
People with disabilities, Medicare cardholders, people 65 and older, and other 18-64 income eligible people are eligible for reduced MBTA fares with a Reduced Fare Card. (Students have a different card design)
Purple girl
Senior Card
Year released - ?
Don’t know much except the image
Unclear if this is the front of the card or if the other side has a blue reduced fare design
Blind Access Card
Year released - ?
Don’t know much except the image
Unclear if this is the front of the card or if the other side has a blue reduced fare design
Youth Pass (2015)
Year released - 2015
Don’t know much except the image
Youth Pass (2019?)
Year released - 2019?
Don’t know much except the image
What I don’t have (yet)
Commemoratives
Commemoratives!
We don’t have a lot of them :(
Wait, who does have a lot of commemoratives?
Ironically…
Los Angeles
Los Angeles
Boston has 4 :-)
Here they are:
Here they are:
(except the U.S. Open, which we already covered)
Dukakis Dedication Commemorative
Year released - 2008
Don’t know much except the image. Why don’t we make any more commemoratives?
Government Center Reopening
Year released - 2016
1000 released at Government Center reopening. Keychains with a different design released as well.
I own the keychain but not the card :(
Sail Boston 2017
Year released - 2017
Released as part of Sail Boston 2017. Not sure if any were released for later years of Sail Boston. More info in link
Bonus: Tickets and other memorabilia
Tokens
Years released - multiple
I’m not a token nerd sorry. Don’t know much about them
I only own the top left token. Purchased from WardMaps
1977 Courtesy Pass
Year released - 1977
Paper ticket distributed for 1977 Light Rail Transit Conference
Default (Ticket)
Year released - 2005
Default (ticket option - can be printed out directly from a fare machine)
Fun fact - fare paid via CharlieTicket used to be 30-50 cents extra due to the convenience but it was lowered in 2020 to match the CharlieCard fare.
Monthly Pass (old)
Year released - ? before 1978, multiple designs
These used to have different color schemes every month so it was easier to flash your card to the conductor as you boarded. Later (2006 ish) it switched to a plain CharlieTicket design.
2001-05
1978
1988-91
Monthly Pass (current?)
Year released - ?
These used to have different color schemes every month so it was easier to flash your card to the conductor as you boarded. Later (2006 ish) it switched to a plain CharlieTicket design.
2006
Bonus history
Thank you! Comment with any info or corrections. Sell me your cards. Love, Kona