The CharlieCard is named after a fictional character in a folk music song "M.T.A. '', often called "Charlie on the MTA '', which concerns a man trapped forever on the Boston subway system -- then known as the Metropolitan Transit Authority, or MTA -- because he can not pay the 5 - cent surcharge required to leave the train. Since the card 's introduction, the Charlie character has been used on a variety of MBTA signs, including construction and directional signage.
where does the charlie in charliecard come from
folk music song "M.T.A. ''