Low-Income Travelers To Ride Half Price Under New MBTA Plan

BOSTON, MA — Many low-income travelers and commuters who use Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority can ride the T at half price under a newly approved plan.

Last week the company's board of directors voted unanimously in favor of the plan, which targets those between the ages of 26 and 64 years old who are income-eligible and currently enrolled in accepted assistance programs like MassHealth, and DTA's TANIF, SNAP, and EAEDC.

To be income eligible, you must be in the age bracket and have an income under 200 percent of the federal poverty line, which equals about $30,000 for an individual.

There are already reduced-fare MBTA programs in place for students, seniors, and people with disabilities. Those who are blind ride for free.

The new low-income fare program is expected to enroll 62,000 riders and induce up to 8.1 million annual trips on the fixed route system by 2029, according to the MBTA.

"Expanding low-income fares will help to ensure that our transportation system is more equitable and more affordable, which supports the mission to give everyone greater access to mobility options, especially community members depending on transit," MassDOT Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt said in a statement last week.

Lynsey Heffernan, who is the Chief of Policy & Strategic Planning at MBTA, added that her team had been developing the program for a long time and to see it through made for one of the best days at the company.

"Congratulations to all of the many people who have been championing this policy for years," she said.