Charlie-less T payment starts Aug. 1

The MBTA announced today its long-awaited next-gen fare system - years late and now approaching $1 billion to install - begins Aug. 1 when T subway, trolley and bus riders will be able to board with a credit card, phone or even watch rather than having to have a CharlieCard in hand.

A one-step option for pay-as-you-go travel, riders can save time by using their contactless credit/debit card, phone, or watch instead of purchasing and reloading a CharlieCard. Riders can look for the contactless symbol, tap their card or device on the reader at the fare gate or the reader at the vehicle door, wait for the green checkmark, then ride. ...

Riders in reduced fare programs (such as Senior, Student, and TAP) will have the option to link their benefits to their contactless card, phone, or watch. Riders who do not want to link their benefits to a contactless card, phone, or watch will be able to continue using their current payment method.

The new payment system will be available at subway fare gates and aboard buses and Green and Mattapan Line trolleys. People who like CharlieCards will still be able to use them, but they'll have to tap the old-fashioned card readers, not the newfangled ones.

The T does have a caveat for bus and trolley riders:

While onboard buses, Green Line trolleys, and Mattapan Line trolleys, riders should be mindful of the location of the tappable fare readers near the vehicles’ doors. To avoid the possibility of accidental taps and charges of their contactless credit or debit cards, riders are encouraged to hold their purses, bags, and backpacks away from the contactless readers.

The T's ultimate goal is to create a fare system that includes even commuter-rail lines.