If you are accepted as a participant, you will be asked to attend a short training session. The training session will familiarize you with the CharmCard™ and how to use it with our Ticket Vending Machines and faregates. Following training, you must follow certain procedures to ensure we receive accurate information about the CharmCard™ and your experience using it.

Getting Started:
To get started, you must first add cash value or a pass product (Day, 7-Day or 30-Day Pass) to your CharmCard™ at an MTA Metro Subway Ticket Vending Machine. You may add up to $200 of cash value to your card so you will only need to reload as needed. Or, you may load a Day, 7-Day or 30-Day pass product for unlimited rides during the designated pass period.

Types of Fares:
Cash Value - Cash Value is the amount of cash you have loaded on your card.  Each time you touch your card to the Metro Subway faregate as you exit the system the correct single trip fare will be deducted from the cash value on your card, similar to how you would use a gift card. Check the FAQ and Users’ Guide sections of this site for specific instructions on how to load cash value on your CharmCard™.

Pass Products (Day, 7-Day or 30-Day Pass) - Pass products provide unlimited use of Metro Subway for the duration of the designated pass period – one day, 7 days or 30 days. The pass validity begins the day you first use it, and continues for the specified number of days on your pass. Please note that the time of day of your first use is not applied to the pass validity period: for example, if you begin using a 7-Day Pass on Monday at 8:00 a.m. or 11:30 p.m., the pass is only valid until the following Sunday at 11:59 p.m. Check the FAQ and Users’ Guide sections of this site for specific instructions on how to load Day, 7-Day and 30-Day passes on your CharmCard™.

Test Policies:
1. Use your CharmCard™ to pay for fares on MTA Metro Subway only.

2. The card contains sensitive electronics. Do not bend, perforate or expose it to extreme temperatures.

3. Only you are authorized to use this card. It is not transferrable. Be prepared for card inspection by an MTA Employee, Fare Inspector, and Transit Police.

4. Your card is registered for balance protection. Immediately report a lost or stolen card.

5. For information call 1-866-869-8726 or visit www.mtacharmcard.com. To report a problem on your card, call 1-866-869-8726.

6. MTA Disclosure Statement: Information collected during the test period may be used for current or future MTA programs. MTA will disclose information pursuant to applicable laws or law enforcement purposes. MTA will not share or sell this information for any other purposes.

Lost/Stolen Cards:
Your MTA CharmCard™ is already registered to you as a test group participant. If a registered card is lost 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 or stolen, please contact the MTA at 1-866-869-8726.

Defective Cards:
Call 1-866-869-8726 immediately.

End of Test Period:
Return your CharmCard™ to the MTA Transit Store located at 6 St. Paul St., Baltimore, MD 21202, starting December 1, but no later than December 15. Please bring your CharmCard™ along with a photo ID card when you come to the Transit Store and as a bonus for your participation, you will receive a free January 2010 Regular Monthly Pass.