FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Agency to Phase Out CharmCard, Transition Riders to CharmPass Mobile App
BALTIMORE, MD (May 14, 2025) – The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration will begin replacing its legacy fare collection equipment with new, modern fareboxes on all 825 buses operating on the agency’s local bus routes. Installation of the new fareboxes will begin this summer, with 200 buses upgraded per month, and full transition to new payment systems to be complete by the end of the year. To support the new farebox integration, CharmCard®, the agency’s 15-year-old “tap and go” fare payment option, will be retired. Riders are encouraged to transition to CharmPass, the Maryland Transit Administration’s mobile transit pass app.
“These new fareboxes are another way we are working to improve the rider experience and create a modern, more efficient transit system,” said Maryland Transit Administrator Holly Arnold. “The CharmPass app is a convenient, secure way to pay for transit fares and has been a favorite option of riders for years.”
The new fareboxes have a larger, color display that is easier to read. They also are more durable devices with fewer moving parts, making for less maintenance and repairs. The agency’s legacy fare collection equipment has been in place for more than 20 years and, due to its age, can be difficult and time-consuming to repair.
With CharmPass, the agency’s official mobile transit pass app, customers can purchase the fare option for any MTA service that best meets their travel needs and then pay the fare directly from their smartphone. A one-way fare for local bus, Metro Subway, and Light Rail on the CharmPass app is automatically valid for 90 minutes allowing customers FREE transfers across all of the agency’s core services. Available only through the CharmPass app, CharmFlex 3-day and 10-day pass options let customers purchase fares for about 15% less than the cost of 3 or 10 individual day-passes respectively. To learn more and download the app, riders can visit mta.maryland.gov/charmpass.
Riders without a smartphone can pay for their transit fare at the new farebox as they board a bus or purchase a one-way, day pass, weekly, or monthly pass at a Ticket Vending Machine and at the Transit Store.
Riders are encouraged to use up any remaining CharmCard® balance or passes as soon as possible. Between August 11 and November 30, riders boarding buses with the new fareboxes will be unable to use a CharmCard to pay their fare. The CharmCard® will be fully retired on all modes (Bus, Metro Subway, and Light Rail) effective December 31, 2025.
Key Dates:
June 1: Sales of CharmCards® at Walk-in Vendors and the agency’s Transit Store will be discontinued.
July 7: Sales of CharmCard 31-day passes will be discontinued online and at walk-in vendors.
August 14: Installation of new fareboxes on buses begins; new fareboxes will not accept CharmCard®.
September 30: New fareboxes installed on 50% of bus fleet
October 31: New fareboxes installed on 75% of bus fleet
November 30: New fareboxes installed on 100% of bus fleet
December 1: CharmCard® reload function (dollars or passes) will be discontinued
December 31: Last day CharmCard® can be used on Metro Subway or Light Rail.
CharmCard® holders can learn more about the transition at www.mtacharmcard.com or by calling the Transit Information Contact Center at 410.539.5000. To set up a new CharmPass account, visit mta.maryland.gov/charmpass.
The Maryland Transit Administration is one of the largest multi-modal transit systems in the United States, operating systems that include Local Bus, Commuter Bus, Light Rail, Metro Subway, MARC Train Service and a comprehensive Mobility paratransit network. Our goal is to provide safe, efficient, and reliable transit across Maryland with world-class customer service. To learn more, visit mta.maryland.gov, check us out on Facebook at facebook.com/mtamaryland, Instagram at MTA Maryland and follow us on X @mtamaryland and bluesky@mta.maryland.gov.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Paul Shepard
Office: 410-767-3935
Cell: 443-622-4181
pshepard@mdot.maryland.gov
Courtney Mims
Office: 410-767-8367
Cell: 667-392-0157
cmims@mdot.maryland.gov
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