MBTA Fare Changes Take Effect July 1st with Reduced Cash Fares for Buses

July 1, 2016
The MBTA is reminding customers that changes in fares for travel on local bus, rapid transit, commuter rail, ferry and The RIDE take effect on Friday, July 1, and will include some reduced fares for riders and increased Student Pass availability.

The MBTA is reminding customers that changes in fares for travel on local bus, rapid transit, commuter rail, ferry and The RIDE take effect on Friday, July 1, and will include some reduced fares for riders and increased Student Pass availability.

Cash Fares on local buses will be reduced from $2.10 to $2.00. The fare to ride a local bus for Charlie Card users will be $1.70. Other fares for Commuter Rail monthly passes to rapid transit fare on a Charlie Card to LinkPassMonthly will see a slight increase, with the approximately $43 million in new revenue expected in Fiscal Year 2017 from the system-wide changes dedicated to making capital investments that will deliver short-term service improvements to our customers.

“In addition to expanding our transfer policy and the availability of passes for students, the MBTA is committed to improving service for our riders and investing every dollar of additional revenue as a result of these changes back into the system,” said MBTA Chief Administrator Brian Shortsleeve.

Student passes

As of September 1, 2016, M-7 Student Passes, which are pre-loaded with a monthly pass and available to middle school, junior high and high school students through their schools, will be valid seven days a week during the academic year – September – June. In addition, starting in 2017, students may retain their cards during July and August and load a $30 monthly student pass, valid seven days a week, at fare vending machines. The M-7 Student Pass purchased through schools will offer unlimited travel on local and express buses, rapid transit and commuter rail up to Zone 2.

Students issued Stored Value Charlie Cards (S-Card) by their schools will continue to receive a 50 percent “pay-as-you-go” discounted rate on fares and can purchase $30 monthly passes, valid seven days a week, year-round, at fare vending machines. S-Cards offer unlimited travel on local and express buses and rapid transit.

Core fares as of July 1, 2016

Single-ride fares

FARE TYPELOCAL BUSBUS + BUSRAPID TRANSITBUS + RAPID TRANSIT
CharlieCard $1.70 $1.70 $2.25 $2.25
CharlieTicket $2.00 $2.00 $2.75 $4.75
Cash on Board $2.00 $4.00 $2.75 $4.75
Senior and TAP* 85¢ 85¢ $1.10 $1.10
Student* 85¢ 85¢ $1.10 $1.10

Monthly passes

LinkPass Monthly $84.50
7-Day Link Pass $21.25
Local Bus Monthly Pass $55
Senior/TAP Monthly Pass $30
Student Monthly Pass $30
Children 11 and under ride free when accompanied by a paying adult.

*Student, Senior and TAP (people with disabilities) Charlie Card users pay reduced fare on single rides on rapid transit, commuter rail, local bus, express bus and ferries.