Framingham joins MBTA Youth Pass program for affordable transit

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
·3 min read

FRAMINGHAM — The MBTA, the city of Framingham and Wayside Youth & Family Support Network announced that Framingham has joined the T’s Youth Pass program, which helps provide affordable transit access for young people with low income.

“We’re excited to have Framingham join our growing list of city and municipal partners offering the Youth Pass benefits to eligible young people,” said MBTA Deputy General Manager Jeff Gonneville, in a statement. “The Youth Pass provides discounted fares to eligible young people with half-off one-way fares and monthly passes for just $30. We continue to be excited to offer the Youth Pass’s benefits to so many young adults, allowing for broader access to employment and education opportunities.”

Mayor Yvonne Spicer said the city is "pleased to announce the launch of the MBTA Youth Pass program in Framingham, with Wayside as a leading partner."

“Transportation access and cost issues can prevent young people from reaching the classes, trainings, medical care, jobs, religious, family or social events and more that they deserve to take advantage of and participate in just as much as everyone else," the mayor said in a statement. "It’s an equity issue that we know has a huge impact on someone’s well-being, so I thank Wayside and the MBTA for lowering the barrier to mobility for Framingham’s young people.”

Troy Fernandes is program director for Tempo, a program of the Wayside Youth & Family Support Network located in downtown Framingham.

“We are proud to partner with the city of Framingham to provide reduced-rate transportation through the MBTA’s Youth Pass Program,” said Fernandes. “Many of the young adults Tempo serves rely upon costly transportation, friends or family to attend class, go to work and for trips to the grocery store or medical appointments. This program is one more tool to ensure all young adults have the same chance of success regardless of income or financial means as their peers.”

The Youth Pass is a card that can be used by eligible young adults with low incomes to purchase roughly 50% reduced one-way fares or $30 monthly LinkPasses for the bus, subway, and Fairmount Line Zone 1A stations at MBTA Fare Vending Machines, the CharlieCard Store, fare boxes on buses and trolleys at street-level stops, or at retail sales locations. Youth Pass cards can also be used to purchase half-price one-way fares for commuter rail, Express Bus and ferry.

Young people residing in Framingham who are interested in applying to the reduced fare Youth Pass program should complete the MBTA’s Youth Pass online application. Approved applicants will receive cards in the mail or can pick them up at Wayside Youth & Family Support Network’s Tempo program location at 68 Henry St., Framingham.

In order to qualify for the Youth Pass, a young person must live in a participating city or town and either:

  • Be between 12 and 17 years old and not enrolled in middle or high school (students enrolled in middle or high school may receive a Student CharlieCard through their school);

  • Be between 18 and 25 years old and enrolled in at least one of the following Youth Pass partner programs (college and university students may be eligible for Semester Passes): (1) Alternative education program (e.g., high school equivalency degree programs); (2) Job training or professional development program (e.g., Year Up, Roca); or (3) State or federal benefit program (e.g., MassHealth, SNAP, fuel assistance).

Besides Framingham, other participating communities include Arlington, Attleboro, Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Lexington, Malden, Medford, Melrose, the North Shore, Quincy, Revere, Somerville, Wakefield, Watertown and Worcester. Cities or towns interested in joining the program are encouraged to email youthpass@mbta.com for information on how to begin the process.

For full information regarding the Youth Pass, visit mbta.com/youthpass-eligibility, or connect with the T on Twitter @MBTA, Facebook /TheMBTA, or Instagram @theMBTA.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Framingham joins MBTA Youth Pass program for affordable transit access