Fare Policy News Today

After a long grassroots push for better and more affordable public transportation, the MBTA will offer systemwide fare discounts for low-income riders as early as this summer, pending final approval from the agency’s board. 
MBTA and state officials outlined plans for the discount service at a briefing on Monday. By using Charlie Cards, eligible riders would get discounts of

MBTA leaders are weighing a reduced fare proposal that could cut costs for roughly 60,000 riders and spark millions more trips.

The new state budget included $5 million dollars to design and launch a discounted fare program for low-income transit riders, details on how it will be implemented are still being worked out.

The startup price — which would effectively mirror money Gov. Maura Healey proposed for the fare option in her state budget bill — would cover the process of staffing up with workers who would run the program, conducting necessary equity analyses, and crafting an online application.

MBTA officials estimated Thursday it would need at least a year and about $5 million to get a widespread low-income fare option off the ground, plus tens of millions of dollars per year to cover its recurring costs.

The incoming system, which the T refers to as its "Fare Transformation" project, will allow passengers to board buses and above-ground trolleys via all doors rather than just the front doors near the farebox.