Baltimore Bus Payment Options: A Guide For Riders

There are several ways to pay for a bus in Baltimore. The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) accepts cash, debit/credit cards, Charm Cards, and checks. The CharmCard® is a smart card that can be used to pay for transit fares in the Washington, DC, and Baltimore metropolitan areas. It can be purchased online, at the Transit Store, or at participating retail stores. The CharmPass mobile app also allows users to pay for BaltimoreLink local buses, Light Rail, Metro Subway, MARC Train, and Commuter Bus services directly from their smartphones. One-way bus fares must be paid upon boarding the bus, and exact change is required.

Pay by cash when boarding the bus

If you're looking to pay for the bus in Baltimore with cash, here's what you need to know. The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) operates buses, as well as the Metro Subway and Light Rail, in Baltimore. When paying by cash, you must have the exact change ready as the bus driver does not provide change. The one-way bus fare is $2.00, but you can also purchase a day pass for $4.40 to $4.60, which allows unlimited travel for a day.

When boarding the bus, you can pay the exact fare in cash to the bus operator. Make sure you have the exact amount ready, as bus drivers do not provide change. You can also purchase a day pass from the bus operator, which offers unlimited travel from the time of purchase until 3 a.m. the following day.

If you plan to use the Metro Subway or Light Rail, you will need to purchase your ticket from a ticket vending machine located in the rail stations. These machines accept bills in denominations of $1, $5, $10, and $20. You can buy a one-way ticket or a day pass from these machines, and weekly and monthly passes are also available.

It's important to note that the CharmCard, a reloadable fare card offered by the MTA, is not currently available for purchase on buses. If you already have a CharmCard, you can use it to pay your bus fare, but you can only load it with cash value or passes at a ticket vending machine or online.

Additionally, if you're looking for a more flexible option, the CharmPass mobile ticketing app allows you to pay for bus fares directly from your smartphone. With CharmPass, you can purchase one-way fares, as well as CharmFlex 3-day and 10-day pass options, which offer more flexibility than traditional weekly or monthly passes.

Use the CharmPass mobile app

CharmPass is the official mobile ticketing app for MDOT MTA. It is available for free on Apple and Android devices. The app allows you to pay for BaltimoreLink local buses (CityLink, LocalLink, and Express BusLink), Light Rail, Metro Subway, MARC Train, and Commuter Bus services directly from your smartphone.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use the CharmPass app:

• Download the CharmPass app from the App Store or Google Play.
• Create an account and register your debit/credit card or PayPal account. This will allow you to purchase fares securely.
• When you're ready to travel, open the app and choose the service you wish to use (e.g., BaltimoreLink Local Bus).
• Select your fare type, such as a single ride or a day pass.
• Choose the number of tickets you need, whether it's just for yourself or for a group.
• Complete the purchase by checking out. You can now use your phone to show the operator your digital ticket.

The CharmPass app offers several benefits, including the convenience of purchasing fares anytime, anywhere, without the need for cash or finding a ticket machine. It also provides a 90-minute free transfer window for core services, allowing you to make free transfers across MDOT MTA core services within 90 minutes of purchasing a one-way fare. Additionally, CharmFlex options are available exclusively on the CharmPass app, offering flexible 3-day and 10-day pass options at a discounted rate compared to day passes.

Buy a CharmCard

The CharmCard® is a rechargeable smart fare card that you can use on the Local Bus, Light Rail, and Metro Subway in Baltimore. It is available for purchase online through the MDOT MVA website, at the MTA Transit Store, and at select retail locations.

• Purchase a CharmCard: You can buy a CharmCard online, at the MTA Transit Store in downtown Baltimore, or at select retail outlets. The cost of the card is $2.50 with no loaded value, or $5.00 with $5.00 of value loaded, resulting in a $0 cost to the customer.
• Add value to your CharmCard: You can add value to your CharmCard by using a ticket vending machine (TVM) or on the bus farebox. At a TVM, you can add up to $200 in cash value, and you can also load a 1-Day, 7-Day, or 30-Day pass. On the bus farebox, you can add up to $20 in cash (in four bills) or purchase a 1-Day pass.
• Use your CharmCard to pay for your trip: When riding the Local Bus, tap your card to the target on the top of the farebox. For the Metro Subway, tap the target at the faregate when entering and exiting the system. On the Light Rail, use the TVM to purchase a single-trip fare or activate a pass.
• Check your card balance: You can check your card balance at a TVM or on the bus farebox. At a TVM, press the "Check Balance" button and touch your card to the target. On the bus farebox, press the "Check Value" button and tap your card to the target.
• Add more value if needed: If you need to add more value to your card, you can do so at a TVM or on the bus farebox. At a TVM, press the "Add Value" button, touch your card to the target, select the amount you wish to add, and follow the payment prompts. On the bus farebox, press the "Add Value" button, tap your card to the target, insert cash (up to $20 in four bills), and then tap your card again.

Remember that passes are only accepted in the region where they were purchased, and the time of day of your first use is not applied to the pass validity period. For example, a 7-Day Pass used on Monday at 8:00 a.m. will expire the following Sunday at 11:59 p.m.

Pay by card at a ticket vending machine

If you're looking to pay for your bus fare in Baltimore by card at a ticket vending machine, here's what you need to do:

Firstly, locate a ticket vending machine at a rail station. These machines accept bills in the denominations of $1, $5, $10, and $20. You can use these machines to purchase one-way or round-trip tickets for the Light Rail and Metro Subway.

When purchasing a ticket from a vending machine, you have the option to add a pass product to your card. You can choose from a 1-Day, 7-Day, or 30-Day pass. This pass will be activated upon your first use and will be valid for the specified number of days. It's important to note that the time of day of your first use is not a factor in the validity period. For example, if you start using a 7-Day Pass on a Monday at 11:30 p.m., it will still only be valid until the following Sunday at 11:59 p.m.

Additionally, you can load a maximum cash value of $200 onto your card at the ticket vending machine. This allows you to have each ride deducted from the cash value stored on your card. You can also use this cash value to purchase pass products.

It's important to note that the Maryland Transit Administration is currently undergoing a system modernization for its ticket vending machines. During this upgrade, which began on October 13, 2023, and is expected to continue through December 2024, the machines will only accept cash and will not be able to accept credit cards. However, temporary, credit card-capable fare vending machines are planned to be installed at high-traffic stations and stops by spring 2024.

In the meantime, riders can use the CharmPass mobile fare payment app as a convenient and secure option to purchase fares with a credit card. The CharmPass app is available for both Apple and Android devices and offers various fare options, including the CharmFlex pass for occasional riders or commuters on non-consecutive days, providing a discount of about 15% on regular single-use or day pass fares.

Buy a weekly or monthly pass

If you're a frequent bus user in Baltimore, it might be more cost-effective to buy a weekly or monthly pass. The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) offers weekly and monthly passes for the bus, Light Rail, and Metro Subway. These passes allow unlimited travel for a specified period and can be purchased through various channels.

One option is to buy the passes online through the MTA website or the CharmPass mobile app. The CharmPass app is free to download on Apple and Android devices and offers a convenient way to purchase and store your fare products. The app also provides real-time information and a 90-minute free transfer window for core services when you purchase a one-way fare.

Alternatively, you can purchase weekly and monthly passes from Light Rail and Metro Subway ticket vending machines, the MTA Transit Store located at 6 St. Paul Street in downtown Baltimore, or from authorised pass sales outlets. The MTA Transit Store is open during specific hours for pass sales, so be sure to check their operating hours before visiting.

When buying a monthly pass, it's important to note that they are typically valid for the month after the order is placed. For example, a monthly pass ordered in July would be valid for use in August. Therefore, it is recommended to place your order in advance to ensure timely processing.

Frequently asked questions