MBTA Youth Pass Program

On February 1, 2017, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) introduced the MBTA Youth Pass Program.  This program provides affordable access to public transportation for low-income youth and young adults. 

To be eligible for the Youth Pass, the client must:

• be 12-18 years of age and not enrolled in middle school or high school (students in school are eligible for the Student Pass)

• be 18-25 years of age and enrolled in one of MBTA’s accepted GED/HiSET or job training programs, or be eligible for a state/federal income-based program such as SNAP, TAFDC, EAEDC, WIC, MassHealth, public housing, etc., and

• live in a participating city or town - currently in:

• Arlington

• Beverly

• Boston (includes Allston, Brighton, Charlestown, Dorchester, East Boston, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, Mission Hill, North End, Roslindale, Roxbury, South Boston and West Roxbury)

• Brookline

• Cambridge

• Chelsea

• Danvers

• Essex

• Everett

• Gloucester

• Hamilton

• Ipswich

• Lexington

• Lynn

• Lynnfield

• Malden

• Manchester by-the-Sea

• Marblehead

• Medford

• Middleton

• Nahant

• Peabody

• Quincy

• Revere

• Rockport

• Salem

• Saugus

• Somerville

• Swampscott

• Topsfield

• Watertown, and

• Wenham,

The Youth Pass provides the cardholder with these options:

• Reduced bus and subwat fares; that include $30 monthly LinkPasses

• Half-price tickets for all Commuter Rail zones on board, at ticket windows,m and viz the mTicket app.

Youth Pass cards can be updated at any MBTA fare vending machine or retail sales terminal.  Cardholders’ photos will be displayed on their Youth Pass card.

Clients can apply for MBTA’s Youth Pass Program by enrolling through one of the participating city partners.  Annual enrollment is required, and all Youth Pass cards expire on November 1^st of every year.  The list of city partners and information on the enrollment process can be located on MBTA’s website:  www.mbta.com/youthpass. Eligibility determination and Youth Pass card distribution is regulated by each participating city partner.

TAFDC clients with an active EDP and an active ESP activity who have a Youth Pass are eligible for a transportation payment of $80.  However, TAFDC clients participating only in community service are not eligible for a transportation payment.

MBTA YouthPass Flyer

  Last Update:  April 15, 2021