Lori Meadows
The MBTA offers discounted fares for students through the Semester Pass Program. This program provides an 11% discount on MBTA passes for students enrolled in colleges and universities with full-time course loads. Students can enjoy unlimited travel by bus, subway, commuter rail, and/or ferry with monthly or semester-long prepaid passes. Additionally, middle and high school students whose schools participate in the Student Pass Program are eligible for reduced one-way fares and passes through the M7 or S-Card options. International students can explore these options and contact their school administrators or the MBTA for more information on obtaining cheaper MBTA passes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who is eligible? | Middle and high school students, college students, and students with disabilities |
| What is required? | Enrollment in a school that participates in the Student Pass Program |
| What is the discount? | 11% off regular monthly "T" pass price, 50% off standard one-way fare or monthly pass for Commuter Rail zones 3-10 |
| What does the pass include? | Unlimited travel on bus, subway, Commuter Rail Zones 1, 1A, and 2, East Boston Ferry |
| How to apply? | Contact school administrator, Transportation Management Portal, MBTA's Mobility Center in Boston |
| How to pay? | Check, ACH, Paymode, credit card, smart phone, smart watch |
| How to replace a lost/stolen pass? | Contact school administrator, Semester Pass Program website, MBTA customer service |
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What You'll Learn
- Discounted semester passes for international students at colleges and universities in Greater Boston
- Student CharlieCards for middle and high school students
- Reduced fares for students enrolled in a state assistance program
- The MBTA's online portal for ordering and managing passes
- The Mobility Center in Boston for in-person support
Discounted semester passes for international students at colleges and universities in Greater Boston
Most colleges and universities in Greater Boston offer discounted MBTA fares on semester passes for their students. These passes are prepaid by the college or university for use during the school year, and they can be used for unlimited travel by bus, subway, Commuter Rail, and/or ferry. Students can expect an 11% discount on their fares, with some schools offering even bigger discounts.
To get a discounted semester pass, students should check with their school's student affairs or transportation office to find out how to obtain one. Schools that do not currently participate in the program can contact MBTA to apply. MBTA is also individually contacting colleges and universities for participation in the pilot program.
Students can receive their discounted semester pass in the form of a CharlieCard or CharlieTicket, which will be issued by school administrators. The pass will be loaded with the Semester Pass of the student's choice, depending on their mode of transit. For example, the Semester LinkPass offers unlimited travel on the subway and local bus, while the Semester Commuter Rail Pass offers unlimited travel on the Commuter Rail, plus unlimited subway and local bus trips. Bus-only passes and ferry passes are also available.
It is important to note that these passes expire at the end of the chosen semester period and must be renewed before the school's set deadline. If a pass is lost, stolen, or damaged, the student should contact their school administrator, who will report it.
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Student CharlieCards for middle and high school students
The MBTA offers discounted MBTA passes to middle and high school students throughout the year. These Student CharlieCards are available to students whose schools participate in the Student Pass Program.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a Student CharlieCard, your middle or high school must be enrolled in the Student Pass Program. If your school participates in the program, you are eligible for either an M7 Card or an S-Card at the beginning of every school year.
Types of Cards
M7 Cards are preloaded with passes and paid for by schools for the entire school year. The M7 card allows students to ride the East Boston Ferry for free and offers a 50% discount on all other ferries.
S-Cards need to be loaded with cash value or passes by students, parents, or guardians. S-Cards can be loaded with monthly passes and can be replaced if lost during the school year between September and June. Only one replacement is permitted per month.
How to Get a Student CharlieCard
To get a Student CharlieCard, contact your school administrator to find out if your school participates in the Student Pass Program. You can also visit the MBTA website for more information on the Student Pass Program and how to sign up.
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Reduced fares for students enrolled in a state assistance program
The MBTA offers a range of reduced fares and passes for students enrolled in a state assistance program. To be eligible for these discounts, students must be between the ages of 18 and 64 and enrolled in an approved state assistance program. The MBTA's income-eligible reduced fare program offers discounted fares for eligible riders.
To apply for the program, students must provide proof of enrollment in a state assistance program. This can include a picture of an enrollment or benefits letter, a screenshot from the "My Enrollments" section of their Health Connector account, an award letter from MASSGrant, or a financial aid letter from their school if MASSGrant is listed. The document provided must be from the current or most recent academic year and must show the student's name.
Once approved, students will receive a reduced fare CharlieCard, which can be used to purchase discounted fares and passes. The card must be presented when riding the T as proof of program enrollment. The reduced fare CharlieCard can also be linked to a RIDE account to receive discounts on ADA/standard and Premium trips.
Students can apply for the income-eligible reduced fare program online through the MyCharlie portal. It is important to note that eligibility must be renewed annually. If a student no longer qualifies for the program, they may still be eligible for other reduced fare programs offered by the MBTA, which provide discounted prices on bus, subway, Commuter Rail, and ferry services.
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The MBTA's online portal for ordering and managing passes
The MBTA offers a range of discounted passes for students, including those at middle and high schools, as well as colleges and universities. The MBTA works directly with educational institutions to provide these discounts, so the first step is to check with your school's student affairs or transportation office to see what options are available to you.
The MBTA has an online portal where students and administrators can sign up, place orders, and manage their passes. This is also where you can report lost, stolen, or damaged passes. To use the portal, you must first create a Student Pass Program account and have your payment information ready. Schools can select one super-user and multiple administrators to manage the account and perform functions such as changing financial and billing information.
Once logged in, you can select “CharlieCard Management” and then "Order New Cards" to choose the type and number of cards required. You can also enter bulk student information by clicking on "Order Roster Uploader." Invoices can be downloaded and printed by the account administrator.
For students who are enrolled in a state assistance program and are between the ages of 18 and 64, there may be additional options for income-eligible reduced fares. These can be applied for via the MyCharlie account service.
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The Mobility Center in Boston for in-person support
The Mobility Center in Boston provides in-person support for MBTA users with accessibility needs. It is located at 1000 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA 02118. The Mobility Center is available to anyone looking to explore accessible transport options and other community transport resources.
The Center provides a range of MBTA tools at no cost, including assistance with reduced fare passes. Staff are on hand to help with a variety of services, including:
- Helping you use your smartphone or computer to check elevator outages and request a rideshare through Lyft or Uber.
- Connecting you to additional community transportation options.
- Helping you plan trips.
- Helping you apply for reduced fare passes.
- Helping you sign up for The Ride, a door-to-door shared-ride paratransit service for people who can't use the subway, bus, or trolley due to a temporary or permanent disability.
The Mobility Center resources are available in-person, virtually, and in multiple languages. You can contact the center by phone at 617-337-2727 or by email at [email protected].
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Frequently asked questions
You can get a cheaper MBTA pass as an international student by applying for your college or university's Semester Pass Program. This program offers an 11% discount on MBTA passes for students. Check with your school's student affairs or transportation office to find out how to apply.
The cheapest MBTA pass option for international students depends on your specific commute. The most popular type of pass is the LinkPass, which offers unlimited trips on local buses and the subway. However, if you need to use the Commuter Rail and/or the Inner Harbor Ferry, the Commuter Rail Zone 1A pass is a more cost-effective option.
You can use your MBTA pass by tapping it at the fare gate at subway stations or the onboard fare box at street-level stops for buses and trolleys.
If your MBTA pass is lost or stolen, contact your school administrator, who will report it. A replacement CharlieCard will then be sent to you.
