The MBTA announced a new range of affordability initiatives for subway and bus riders this fall, along with discounts on the Commuter Rail continued from pilot programs over the summer.
“Today, we’re making more progress on making life more affordable for people by offering these tremendous cost savings,” Gov. Maura Healey said on Tuesday. “I know that over the next few months, people are going to save several $100 – upwards of $600 – over the next couple months.”
Beginning in the fall, the MBTA will offer three new affordability pilot programs for riders, along with two summer Commuter Rail discounts extended through November, the governor and MBTA officials announced at Belmont Commuter Rail station Tuesday morning.
New pilot programs
The three fare pilots include: an expanded two-hour window for unlimited transfers between bus subway and ferry service; elimination of the current higher fare on express bus routes; and free fares for “car-free seniors” 75-plus who no longer drive.
The two-hour window and express bus fare pilots will begin in September and last for six months. The car-free seniors pilot start date will be announced “this fall,” the administration said.
The expanded transfer window will allow riders to transfer between bus, subway and ferry trips a “practically” unlimited number of times within two hours, paying once for the highest cost service, the MBTA said. The rider must use the same payment method on all trips to avoid paying for multiple trips.
“For instance, if you’re using the Lynn ferry, that might be the highest-price route,” said MBTA GM Phillip Eng. “It’s only a 50-minute trip. Guess what? You still have time to jump on a different mode when you get to your destination and take advantage of the unlimited transfer window. You want to pick up a prescription. You want to jump off the system. Grab your prescription. Jump back on. Drop off a child at daycare.”
Currently, riders are only limited to two free transfers between the bus and subway during a two-hour window, with other limitations.
Under the express bus fare pilot, the MBTA’s seven “express” routes will be discounted from their current higher fare, $4.25 full fare and $2.10 reduced, to normal route cost, $1.70 full and $0.85 reduced. Estimates show the program may save riders nearly $500 in the six-month period, the MBTA said.
The car-free seniors program, in partnership with the RMV, will offer free fares to residents 75 years old and older who have a Massachusetts ID and not a driver’s license. The free fare credential will apply to all bus, subway, ferry and Commuter Rail services.
“For older adults, the T is not just about independence, it’s about getting about safely,” said Healey. “It’s about being more connected to family, to medical appointments, and other activities that they need, and they can now do it for free.”
Continued Commuter Rail savings
The MBTA launched several Commuter Rail pilot savings programs including Free Summer Fridays and expanded weekend travel for pass holders, which will end in August. However, two more programs will continue through November.
Riders will be able to access a 50% discount for monthly Commuter Rail passes in September, October and November, the administration said. The passes can typically cost between $80 and $426, depending on which services and zones riders use.
Monthly Commuter Rail pass holders will also be able to continue to bring one companion on weekend trips for $1 each way through the companion fare program.
“Friday Commuter Rail ridership has increased 50%, and riders have taken more than 6,200 companion trips since the start of this program,” Healey said of the summer initiatives. “It’s a huge success, makes a difference for people, and I thought it was really important that we continue this.”
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Officials heralded recent upgrades and investments at the MBTA, including removal of slow zones, new cars in service, and upgrades to the Foxboro Commuter Rail station.
Asked about the potential to expand hours, which the MBTA did for some events over the summer, Eng said the T would need to ensure continued investment, more operators and the ability to continue maintenance.
“Expanded hours is something that we know folks would enjoy,” said Eng. “We saw it during the summer, and I know so many restaurants and businesses told me how important that has been, even the extended Fridays and Saturdays that we’ve done. So we are going to continuously look at that. But I just want to put expectations that we have a little work to do still.”
More information on the pilots can be found at mbta.com/FallFarePilots.
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