Where To Get A CharlieCard In Melrose

MELROSE, MA — Community members needing a CharlieCard for use on the Commuter Rail during the MBTA’s ongoing Orange Line shutdown can now pick one up at multiple locations throughout Melrose, the city announced on Monday.

The CharlieCards come without any money preloaded on them. They can get riders onto the Commuter Rail for free through the duration of the Orange Line shutdown, however, under an accommodation that allows any riders in zones 1, 1a and 2 to waive their fare by simply showing a CharlieCard or CharlieTicket.

There are more than 200 cards available that have been distributed through the office of State Sen. Jason Lewis.

The cards are available for pickup within the mayor’s office in City Hall on Mondays through Thursdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. and on Fridays between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Anyone who lives or works in Melrose is invited to pick up a card.

CharlieCards are also available at Oak Grove Station in Malden or at the Shaw’s location at 34 Essex Street in Melrose.

Community members interested in adding money to their cards can do so using MBTA fare vending machines or by going online at the link here.

Anyone with questions can contact the mayor’s office by phone at 781-979-4440 or by email at mayorsoffice@cityofmelrose.org.

The Orange Line shutdown began on Aug. 19 and is set to run into mid-September. Speaking during a visit from Gov. Charlie Baker on Sunday, officials said the long list of planned maintenance along the Orange Line route was 37% complete.

In the meantime, the MBTA’s network of shuttle buses, Commuter Rail options and other transit alternatives has been operating between most Orange Line stops.

Without major unforeseen issues in the shutdown’s rollout, MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak said last week that the set of transit alternatives was running “relatively smoothly.”

The shutdown has still caused headaches for many commuters, nonetheless. And officials have been eyeing new tests on the system as the back-to-school and post-Labor Day seasons bring a potential surge in traffic on roads.

The Orange Line shutdown is also compounding with closures on the Green Line and more than 40 service reductions across bus routes in the Boston area that the MBTA announced last week. Those reductions took effect on Sunday and are due to remain in place at least through the fall season.

See the MBTA's Rider's Guide to Planning Ahead for a recap of transit alternatives during the Orange Line shutdown.

READ: MBTA Adds Coaches On Commuter Rail Trains Amid Orange Line Shutdown