FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BALTIMORE, MD (October 9, 2023) – The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration will begin a software and hardware upgrade Friday, October 13, for its Local Bus, Light Rail and Metro Subway transit fare vending machines. The process is expected to continue through December 2024. While the upgrades are being implemented, the machines will not be able to accept credit cards, but cash will be accepted. About 10% of total fares are purchased by credit card at fare vending machines. MARC train ticketing machines will not be affected by the upgrade.
“The safety and security of our customers is paramount,” said Maryland Transit Administrator Holly Arnold. “That includes customer transactions and information when paying for their fares. We understand the inconvenience this causes our riders, and we’re working closely with service providers to complete this work as soon as possible.”
Temporary, credit card-capable fare vending machines are planned to be installed at high traffic stations and stops by spring 2024 while the upgrade process is underway. In the meantime, options for credit card purchases are available. Riders can download the CharmPass mobile fare payment app as a convenient and secure option to purchase fares with a credit card. To mitigate the inconvenience of the system upgrade, new customers who download CharmPass by October 31 will receive a complimentary three-day CharmFlex pass. The pass will be pushed to their phones within 24 hours and is good for travel on Maryland Transit Administration Local Bus, Light Rail and Metro Subway for up to a year.
The CharmPass mobile transit fare app for smartphones has been recognized in surveys as one of the easiest-to-use fare payment options in the nation. All transit fare products are available through CharmPass, including the CharmFlex option for those who ride occasionally or commute on non-consecutive days, which discounts regular single-use or day pass fares by about 15%.
Riders also can purchase transit fares with a credit card at the agency’s Transit Store, located at 6 St. Paul St., Baltimore. The store is open 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The Maryland Transit Administration is one of the largest multi-modal transit systems in the United States, and operates Local Bus, Commuter Bus, Light Rail, Metro Subway, MARC Train Service and a comprehensive Mobility paratransit system. The goal of the Maryland Transit Administration is to provide safe, efficient and reliable transit across Maryland with world-class customer service. To learn more, visit mta.maryland.gov, check us out on Facebook at facebook.com/mtamaryland and follow us on Twitter @mtamaryland.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Paul Shepard
Office: 410-767-3935
Cell: 443-622-4181
pshepard@mdot.maryland.gov
Veronica Battisti
Office: 410-767-8748
Cell: 410-598-4168
vbattisti@mdot.maryland.gov
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