Maximize your understanding of CharmCard™ while taking a great ride on MTA!
Having a complete understanding of how to use your CharmCard™ along with our Ticket Vending Machines (TVM), Bus Farebox and Faregates is essential. There are slight differences between the transactions allowed at a TVM and a Bus farebox. Both Farebox and Faregate accept all pass products and stored value.
Here are the differences between TVM and Farebox transactions:
TVM Transactions:
- Up to $100 of stored value loaded per transaction.
- Accepts cash or credit card payment.
- Pass Products sold 1-Day, 7-Day or 30-Day Pass.
Bus Farebox Transactions:
- Up to $20 of stored value or four bills loaded per transaction.
- Accepts bills only, no change given.
- Pass Product sold 1-Day Pass.
How to add cash value to your CharmCard™ at a TVM
- If the screen directions are not fully visible, press any button to begin.
- Under Smart Card, select “Add Value”.
- Touch card to target.
- Select add value amount.
- Select payment cash or credit.
- Insert cash or swipe credit card.
- Touch card to target.
- Transaction receipt? Yes or No.
How to add cash value to your CharmCard™ at a Bus Farebox
 Press the “Add Value” button on the left side of the farebox.- Touch card to target.
- Insert bills, no coins accepted, up to $20 or 4 bills.
- Touch card to target to load value.
How to check current value on your CharmCard™ at a TVM
- If the screen directions are not fully visible, press any button to begin.
- Under Smart Card, press “Check Balance”.
- Touch card to target.
- Read current value on screen.
How to check current value on your CharmCard™ at a Bus Farebox
 Press the “Check Value” button on the right side of the farebox.- Touch card to target.
- Read current value on screen.
How to add a 1-Day, 7-Day or 30-Day Pass to your CharmCard™ at a TVM
- If the screen directions are not fully visible, press any button to begin.
- Under Smart Card, select pass type.
- Select payment, cash, credit or stored value.
- Insert cash or swipe credit card if not using stored value.
- Touch card to target.
- Transaction receipt? Yes or No.
How to add a 1-Day Pass to your CharmCard™ at a Bus farebox
- Only 1- Day Pass product may be purchased at Bus farebox.
- If you do not have $3.50 cash value on your card, first “Add Value” then;
- Tell bus operator you would like to purchase a 1-Day Pass.
- Touch card to target.
- You will hear 2 beeps as $3.50 was extracted from your card, and the 1-Day Pass loaded to your card.
How to use your CharmCard™ on a Metro Subway faregate
- Touch your card to the Metro Subway faregate target to enter the system.
- Touch the target again as you exit the system. It will deduct the correct fare.
- If you encounter a faregate with the barrier already open prior to touching your CharmCard™, DO NOT pass through the open faregate. Doing so will make your card “out of sync” and you will have to see the station manager before using your card again. The station manager should be able to get your CharmCard™ back in sync.
- Remember: the faregate will read pass products first and if no pass products are loaded on your card, the proper fare will be deducted.
How to use your CharmCard™ on a Bus farebox
- Touch your card to the farebox target.
- It will deduct the correct fare, or read your pass product.
- Remember: the farebox will read pass products first and if no pass products are loaded on your card, the proper fare will be deducted.
What to do if your CharmCard™ is lost or stolen
We strongly encourage you to register your CharmCard for balance protection in the event your card is lost, stolen or damaged. If a registered card is lost, damaged or stolen the remaining balance can be transferred to a new card minus a $5 card replacement fee. If you need to report your card lost, damaged or stolen, please contact the Regional Customer Service Center at 1-888-SmarTrip. |
