MBTA to Implement Youth Pass Discount Program to Young Adults

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Following the success of a year-long MBTA youth pass pilot program that included the cities of Boston, Malden, Somerville, Chelsea and the Chelsea Collaborative, the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board recently voted to expand and extend it indefinitely. Last July, the pilot program opened to 1,500 youth up to age 21 with passes being allocated based on a random lottery of eligible applicants. Passes were sold at municipal partner offices in each city and participants had to return each month or week to pay. 

The MBTA has also agreed to make the youth pass program open to all low-income individuals in the MBTA service area between the ages of 19 and 25, increasing the maximum age range from 21 in the pilot program. Youth aged 18 and under do not need to be determined low-income to qualify. The new youth pass program would be administered through any of the 17 municipalities in the core service area that choose to participate. Costing $30 after the fare hikes take effect, the youth pass will offer a significant discount of more than 50% off the regular cost of a monthly subway pass, which will be $84.50 starting July 1.

When the MBTA board voted to hike fares an average of 9.3 percent in March, the board also made student passes valid year-round, one aspect of the pilot program. Starting in September the MBTA will allow students to purchase their monthly passes through fare vending machines, and once the youth pass is implemented after September 1, youth will be able to do the same. All youth in participating municipalities would be eligible from ages 12 to 18 as will young adults "up to 25" if they meet criteria like enrollment in food assistance or MassHealth or are enrolled in a high-school equivalency program or job training.

“I am thrilled that the MBTA is permanently implementing this much needed program,” said Mayor Gary Christenson. “I commend Jeri Scibelli of our office and Malden High School Intern Nicole Baltazar for their diligent work administering this program which has tremendously benefitted our youth.”

For more information about the MBTA Youth Pass Program, please email Jeri Scibelli at jscibelli@cityofmalden.org.