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Boston One Card

In 2010, the City of Boston piloted a new card to make the City’s educational resources easier for students to access. Rather than carry a separate MBTA pass, school ID, library card and community center card, students at Josiah Quincy Upper School only needed one card – the Boston One Card.

Following the successful pilot program, the One Card program is continuing at the Josiah Quincy Upper School and expanding to thirteen more high schools in Boston Public Schools. Approximately 8,000 high school students will be using the One Card this school year.

If you have any questions about this card, want to tell us what you think of it, or have ideas for how it could be better, please let us know at onecard@cityofboston.gov.

One Card FRONT

One Card BACK

Find out more about what bostONEcard can connect students to:

Boston Centers for Youth & Families – www.boston.gov/bcyf/
Connect with the City’s 38 recreation centers.

BOSTONavigator – www.bostonavigator.org
Find activities to do when you’re not in school.

Boston Public Libraries – www.bpl.org
Discover a world of books, music, maps and movies.

Boston Public Schools – www.bostonpublicschools.org
Access all you need to know about BPS.

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority – www.mbta.com
Learn the fastest way to get around Boston.

Frequently Asked Questions for Students

+Expand All Answers

Where can I use this?

You can use this card at any MBTA station or on any MBTA bus, at the Boston Public Library central and branch libraries, at any Boston Centers for Youth & Families community center, and at the Josiah Quincy Upper School.

To find a library or community center, check out this map:
Map of Libraries and Community Centers

What do I do with my old community center card, library card, school ID, and MBTA pass?: This one card replaces all of those. You should return your old library card to the library when you first use your One Card.

What happens to my card if I switch schools?: You keep the card, and it will continue to work for the T, the library and community centers. If you go to another BPS high school that also uses the One Card, you can continue to use your card there for school purposes.

Do I have to do anything special to use this card?

The card is ready and registered for use with the MBTA and at your school. (For the MBTA, this card works in the same way your current pass does: from 6a – 11p on weekdays, with opportunities to add money at any MBTA kiosk if the card is pay-as-you-go.)

The first time you use this card at a library, you should bring your current BPL library card with you (if you already have one). If you do not already have a library card, please bring proof of residency so your new card can be entered into the system. After that, you can use this card at any Boston Public Library.

The first time you use this card a BCYF community center, you will need to take a few steps to join that specific center. Once you have joined one center, you will be able to access any City community center.

Can I add money to the card for breakfast or lunch?: It depends. Check with your school.

What if the card is lost or stolen?: You need this card for school and to access a number of programs in Boston, so take good care of it. If it is lost or stolen, please contact your school's One Card Coordinator immediately.

Can someone else use my card?: No. Whether at a library, community center, school or T station, you are the only person who can use your card.

What if a partner organization (school, community center, MBTA or library) doesn’t recognize the card?: Tell the person helping you that it’s a new program the City is trying and ask them to scan it as they would a normal card.

How long is my card valid?

Your card will be valid until the start of the next school year.

The library card function will be valid beyond the next school year, but it will expire on July 1 of the year you turn 12 (when Juvenile cards expire) or on July 1 of the year you turn 16 (when Young Adult cards expire.)

I have a sibling/friend in another school who doesn’t have a card like mine. How can they get one?

Right now, only 14 high schools (listed below) have the One Card. If your friend is interested, please let us know by emailing ONEcard@cityofboston.gov. It will help us understand whether or not to expand this program.

Participating Schools:
Brighton High School
Boston Arts Academy
Boston Community Leadership Academy
Boston International High School
Charlestown High School
Dorchester Academy
English High School
Fenway High School
Lyon High School
Newcomers Academy
O'Bryant School of Math & Science
Quincy Upper School
Snowden International School
TechBoston Academy

How will information from this card be used?: The One Card will be used just like your old separate cards. Use of this card does not change any of the existing privacy agreements—those remain in place. Information about a student’s card use will not be shared between agencies or with anyone else without the explicit consent of the student’s caregiver

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BostONE Card Kickoff

Mayor Menino helps launch the pilot program for the innovative BostONE cards, which will link students; MBTA pass, library card and BCYF pass onto one card.

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BostONEcard Pilot Launch

cityofboston.gov - Official Web Site of the City of Boston - Thomas M. Menino, Mayor

Boston One Card

Find out more about what bostONEcard can connect students to:

Frequently Asked Questions for Students

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