Winthrop joins growing list of MBTA partners offering CharlieCards

WINTHROP, Mass. — Free no-balance CharlieCards are now available at the Winthrop Public Library.

The MBTA announced Monday its initiative with Winthrop to increase the offering of CharlieCards for residents who rely on public transportation.

"Thank you to the Town of Winthrop for partnering with the MBTA in helping us expand access to CharlieCards for our customers," said MBTA general manager Steve Poftak. "With the intent of increasing the availability of CharlieCards within the communities we serve, we hope this initiative allows the T to be even more accessible for MBTA customers so they can take advantage of lower fares available through the CharlieCard."

CharlieCards are reusable plastic cards that can be reloaded with money or offered as one-day, seven-day or monthly passes. They're slightly less expensive than paying with cash or using a CharlieTicket, and they also offer options for transfers that tickets and cash don't.

"The Town of Winthrop is excited to provide the CharlieCards to the members of our community, and to those that are visiting," said Winthrop town manager Austin Faison. "This is an example of Winthrop integrating more opportunities for individuals to engage with the MBTA and their regional public transportation network. The Town continues to explore multi-modal transportation and all that it can offer."

Winthrop joins a growing list of cities and towns that have partnered with the MBTA to increase access to CharlieCards, including Chelsea, Watertown, Salem and Lynn.

• Chelsea partnered with the MBTA in January 2019 with CharlieCards pre-loaded with $5 and free no-balance CharlieCards available in the Treasury Office of Chelsea City Hall. 
• Watertown partnered with the MBTA in July 2019 with free no-balance CharlieCards available in Watertown Town Hall and the Watertown Free Public Library. 
• Salem partnered with the MBTA in August 2019 with free no-balance CharlieCards available at the Mayor Jean A. Levesque Community Life Center, Salem Public Library, and Salem's Parking Department. 
• CharlieCards available in Lynn are also coming soon.

Cox Media Group