At most MBTA subway stops, you'll use your CharlieCard or CharlieTicket at a fare gate to access the train platform. At street-level stops on the Green Line and Mattapan Trolley, you'll pay your fare at the onboard fare box.

Yes, you are required to pay a fare to ride the Green Line, which is part of Boston's MBTA "T" subway system. The standard one-way fare for the subway (including the Green Line) is currently $2.40. However, the way you pay can vary depending on where you board. If you board at an underground station (like Park Street or Copley), you pay at the fare gates before entering the platform using a CharlieCard, CharlieTicket, or contactless payment (like a credit card or Apple/Google Pay). If you board the Green Line at a street-level stop (where the trolley runs in the middle of the road), you must pay as you board using the fare box next to the driver. In a major move toward efficiency, the MBTA has recently updated its systems to allow for "all-door boarding" on the Green Line, meaning you can tap your card or phone at any door on the trolley rather than waiting in line at the front. It is important to note that the Green Line is notoriously scrutinized for fare evasion at these street-level stops, so ensuring you've "tapped in" is essential to avoid a fine if a transit ambassador or police officer checks your proof of payment.