Apply for a Transportation Access Pass (TAP) CharlieCard

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What would you like to do? (required)

Apply for a new Transportation Access Pass (TAP) CharlieCard

Renew my current or expired card

Replace my missing or damaged card

Before You Begin

This application is for people with disabilities.

You will need:

A government-issued photo ID

You may upload a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, passport, or state ID. IDs must display an expiration date within the last three years. Photocopies and edited photos with blurred information will not be accepted.

A recent color photo of yourself

Your photo must be from the neck up in front of a solid, light-colored background. You cannot wear a hat, face covering, or sunglasses.

Documentation of a disability

Unless you are replacing your TAP CharlieCard, you will need to show documentation of a disability. You have three options:

Option 1

Upload proof of disability

Upload proof of disability. This can be one of the following:

Medicare, One Care, or Tufts Health Unify Card
Disability placard from the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV)
Signed letter from your Travel Trainer on MBTA letterhead
Veteran benefits summary letter on VA letterhead specifying a disability rating of 70% or greater
Current non-MBTA reduced fare card with an expiration date
Verification letter signed by case manager or coordinator from one of the following agencies:
- Department of Mental Health (DMH), including DMH vendors
- Department of Developmental Services (DDS)
- Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC)

Option 2

Enter an active RIDE ID number

Enter an active RIDE ID number.

Option 3

Upload the Health Care Professional Certification form signed by a health care provider

Upload the Health Care Professional Certification form signed by a health care provider.

You can either print out the form to have it signed by your health care provider, or you can send it to them and they can sign it digitally.

Before You Begin

This application is for people with disabilities.

You will need:

A government-issued photo ID

You may upload a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, passport, or state ID. IDs must display an expiration date within the last three years. Photocopies and edited photos with blurred information will not be accepted.

A recent color photo of yourself

Your photo must be from the neck up in front of a solid, light-colored background. You cannot wear a hat, face covering, or sunglasses.

Select Your Disability Documentation

How will you show documentation of your disability? (required) You'll be asked for this information later in this application.

Option 1: Upload proof of disability

Option 2: Enter an active RIDE ID number

Option 3: Upload the Health Care Professional Certification form signed by a health care provider

AutoEligible

Personal Information

Date of birth (required) Use the format (MM/DD/YYYY). Use a four-digit year and include forward slashes.

Senior formula

You may qualify for a Senior CharlieCard

If you are 65 or older, we recommend applying for a Senior CharlieCard, which offers the same benefits as a TAP CharlieCard and is valid for a longer period of time (eight years). Learn more about the Senior CharlieCard Program .

Age formula

Only a parent or guardian is eligible to apply online for a person under 13 years old

In accordance with the U.S. Children's Online Privacy Protection Act and its rules (collectively, “COPPA”), users under the age of 13 may not use or provide any information via the MBTA's free/reduced fare online applications, including name, address, telephone number, email address, or any screen name or user name (collectively “Personal Information”), without verified parental consent.

A parent/legal guardian can submit the child's information via the MBTA's free/reduced fare online applications after parental consent has been verified. Parents/legal guardians must provide their contact information below and verify their email address in order to complete the application on behalf of the child.

I warrant that I possess all the rights, powers, and privileges of a parent or legal guardian necessary to complete this application with binding legal effect. I hereby voluntarily release, forever discharge the MBTA, its employees and agents from any and all claims, demands, or causes of action, which are connected with my child's participation in the MBTA’s free/reduced fare programs. (required) *

Parent or Legal Guardian Information

Parent/legal guardian's first name (required)

Parent/legal guardian's last name (required)

Parent/legal guardian's phone number (required)

Parent/legal guardian's email (required)

After clicking the "Submit" button, please check your email to verify your identity and complete the application process.

Initial submission

First name (required)

Last name (required)

My name has changed since my last TAP CharlieCard (optional)

Name on previous card (required) Enter your old first and last name

Contact Information

We will only use your information to contact you about your application. We'll send you email updates with the status of your application.

Phone number (optional)

Email (optional)

Anonymous Email

Email for Workflow

Emergency Contact

Emergency contact name (optional)

Emergency contact relationship (optional)

Emergency contact phone number (optional)

Upload Photo ID

Upload a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, passport, or state ID. IDs must display an expiration date within the last three years. Photocopies and edited photos with blurred information will note be accepted.

Sample Massachusetts identification card (Mass ID)

If you need help applying for a TAP CharlieCard, we recommend visiting the Mobility Center or the CharlieCard Store .

Upload a photo ID (required) .gif, .jpeg, .jpg, .pdf and .png file formats are accepted

Upload a Photo of Yourself

Upload a recent color photo of yourself from the neck up in front of a solid, light-colored background. You cannot wear a hat, face covering, or sunglasses.

Guidelines:

Submit a color photo, taken in last 6 months.
Use a clear image of your face. Do not use filters commonly used on social media.
Use a solid, light-colored background with no background objects.

How your photo should look

Woman from the neck up in front of a light grey background.

Solid, light background
Neck up

Woman from the neck up wearing a hijab in front of a light-colored background.

Religious head coverings accepted

Man from the neck up wearing round glasses without glare in front of a light grey background.

Glasses without glare

Mistakes to avoid

Man outdoors wearing a red baseball cap and glasses without glare, with bushes and a building in the background.

Busy background
Wearing hat

Woman from the waist up in front of a solid, light-colored background.

Not from neck up

Man from the neck up wearing glasses with a dark background and shadows along the face.

Filter
Dark background

Upload a photo of yourself (required)  .gif, .jpeg, .jpg, and .png file formats are accepted

Upload Proof of Disability

Documentation type (required) When you select a documentation type, an example picture may display below.

Medicare, One Care, or Tufts Health Unify card

Disability placard from the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV)

Signed letter from your Travel Trainer on MBTA letterhead

Veteran benefits summary letter on VA letterhead specifying a disability rating of 70% or greater

Current non-MBTA reduced fare card with an expiration date

Department of Mental Health (DMH) signed verification letter

Department of Developmental Services (DDS) signed verification letter

Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) signed verification letter

Sample signed letter from a Travel Trainer on MBTA letterhead

Sample verification letter signed by a case manager or coordinator from the Department of Mental Health (DMH)

Sample verification letter signed by case manager or coordinator from the Department of Developmental Services (DDS)

Sample verification letter signed by case manager or coordinator from the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC)

Upload a photo of your document (required) .gif, .jpeg, .jpg, .pdf and .png file formats are accepted

Enter RIDE ID

Find your RIDE ID number on your RIDE eligibility letter or contact the Mobility Center .

RIDE ID number (required)

Upload Health Care Professional Certification Form

The Health Care Professional Certification form must be signed by your health care provider.

Upload Health Care Professional Certification form (required) .gif, .jpeg, .jpg, .pdf and .png file formats are accepted

Getting Your Card

If your application is approved, how would you like to receive your Transportation Access Pass (TAP) CharlieCard? (required)

Mail to my address

Pick up at the CharlieCard Store

The CharlieCard Store is now the Charlie Service Center and has been permanently relocated

The Charlie Service Center (formerly the CharlieCard Store) is now located at 296 Washington St, Boston, MA 02108.

The building is fully accessible and is convenient to all subway lines.

For more information, visit the MBTA website .

Your monthly pass and stored value from your old card will be automatically transferred to your new card.

Old serial card number (optional) This is the number on the back of the card that is being replaced. Enter the numbers starting with 5-

Mailing Address

Street address (required)

Apartment, suite, building

City (required)

State or US territory (required)  Value is not selected

Zip code (required)

Demographic Information

The MBTA collects demographic information to understand more about its riders.

Providing your information is optional and does not affect your eligibility for a Transportation Access Pass (TAP) CharlieCard. Any information you choose to share will only be used by MBTA staff for research that will not be linked to your name.

Would you like to share information about your race, ethnicity, gender identity, income, or employment status? (optional)

Yes

No

How do you describe your race/ethnicity? Select all that apply (optional)

American Indian or Alaska Native

Asian

Black or African American

Middle Eastern or North African

Hispanic, Latino or Spanish origin

Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander

White

Prefer not to say

Other

Please specify (optional)

How do you describe your gender identity? Select all that apply (optional)

Woman

Man

Non-binary

Cisgender

Transgender

Genderqueer

Agender

Prefer not to say

Other

Please specify (optional)

What is your household income? (optional)

Less than $14,500

$14,500 to $28,999

$29,000 to $43,499

$43,500 to $57,999

$58,000 to $75,999

$76,000 to $108,499

$108,500 to $151,999

$152,000 or more

Prefer not to say

What is your employment status? (optional)

Employed part-time

Employed full-time

Retired

Not employed

Unable to work

Prefer not to say

Other

Please specify (optional)

Free/Reduced Fares Rules and Conditions

Please read the Free/Reduced Fares Rules and Conditions . This link opens in a new tab.

I agree to the Free/Reduced Fares Rules and Conditions (required) *

Disability Information Release Authorization

I authorize my disability information to be released to the MBTA (required) *

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TAP

Apply for a Transportation Access Pass (TAP) CharlieCard

Before You Begin

This application is for people with disabilities.

A government-issued photo ID

A recent color photo of yourself

Documentation of a disability

Before You Begin

This application is for people with disabilities.

A government-issued photo ID

A recent color photo of yourself

Select Your Disability Documentation

Personal Information

Parent or Legal Guardian Information

Contact Information

Emergency Contact

Upload Photo ID

Upload a Photo of Yourself

How your photo should look

Mistakes to avoid

Upload Proof of Disability

Enter RIDE ID

Upload Health Care Professional Certification Form

Getting Your Card

Mailing Address

Demographic Information

Free/Reduced Fares Rules and Conditions

Disability Information Release Authorization