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Middle and High School Student CharlieCards

Tapping a purple M7 Student CharlieCard on a subway fare gate

Student CharlieCards offer reduced one-way fares and passes to middle and high school students whose schools participate in the Student Pass Program. Contact your school administrator to find out if your school participates.

Children 11 and under do not need reduced fare CharlieCards because they ride the T for free.


Are you a student or parent? Great! You’re in the right place. Stay on this page to learn more about where to get your card and how to use it.

Are you a school administrator? Visit our Pass Programs page to learn more about ordering cards and offering them to students.


College Student Semester Passes

Students at participating universities may be eligible for reduced MBTA fares through the Semester Pass Program.

Learn more about the Semester Program

About Student CharlieCards

If your middle or high school participates in the Student Pass Program, you are eligible for either an M7 Card or an S-Card at the beginning of every school year, depending on your school. M7 Cards are preloaded with passes and paid by schools for the entire school year, while S-Cards need to be loaded with cash value or passes by students, parents, or guardians.

Who Can Get a Student CharlieCard?

To receive a Student CharlieCard, your middle or high school must be enrolled in the Student Pass Program.

If your school is not enrolled in the Student Pass Program or you’re enrolled in a GED program, you can fill out this form to request a Student CharlieCard. If you're homeschooled, email studentpassprogram@mbta.com to request a form.

College students are not eligible for the Student Pass Program, though they can use the Semester Pass Program.

M7 Card

From September to June, passes are preloaded by schools

In July and August, use your card to get discounted fares and passes

bus subway commuter rail Your card comes preloaded for unlimited travel on the bus, subway, Commuter Rail Zones 1A, 1, and 2, and East Boston Ferry

commuter rail ferry Show your card to get 50% off the standard one-way fare or monthly pass for Commuter Rail zones 3 – 10 and the Charlestown and Hingham/Hull ferries, printed on a CharlieTicket

S-Card

Year-round, use your card to get discounted fares and passes

bus subway Load your card with a $30.00 monthly or $10 7-Day pass for unlimited travel on the bus and subway

commuter rail ferry Show your card to get 50% off the standard one-way fare or monthly pass for Commuter Rail and ferry, printed on a CharlieTicket

See all reduced fare prices

Using Your Student CharlieCard

Loading Your Card

You can load your card at fare vending machines, onboard fare boxes, and retail sales locations throughout Greater Boston, or buy tickets on mTicket.

Note: If your card is lost or stolen, contact your school administrator, who can report it and issue you a new card.

Planning Your Trip

Plan your trip to school with our trip planner tool–you can even tell it when you need to arrive so you aren’t late. Review your route options with a parent or guardian to choose the one that’s right for you.

While You Ride

To help make riding the T a pleasant experience for everyone, please follow our rider etiquette guide, and read our rules for bringing bikes on the T. 

Be aware of your surroundings while on public transportation, follow our safety tips, and remember—if you see something, say something.

T-Alerts

Stay informed. Get alerts about service delays and elevator/escalator outages by text or email.

Sign up for T-Alerts

Reduced Fares

Some riders are eligible for reduced fares or can ride the T for free.

Learn more about reduced fares

Mode-by-Mode Guides

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Bus Guide Clickable Graphic
Purple striped graphic with
Yellow, light blue and navy waves with white vertical lines

View all guides

College Student Semester Passes

Students at participating universities may be eligible for reduced MBTA fares through the Semester Pass Program.

Learn more about the Semester Program

Reduced Fares

Some riders are eligible for reduced fares or can ride the T for free.

Learn more about reduced fares

Mode-by-Mode Guides

Blue spiraled graphic with
Bus Guide Clickable Graphic
Purple striped graphic with
Yellow, light blue and navy waves with white vertical lines

View all guides