Gov. Maura Healey announces income‑eligible 50% MBTA fare, program to begin Sept. 4

BOSTON — Governor Maura Healey announced a systemwide income‑eligible reduced fare for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority on Tuesday, saying eligible riders will receive about a 50% discount on fares across all MBTA services and that applications begin Sept. 4.

"Today, we are announcing that we have, for the first time ever, a system wide income eligible reduced fare for the MBTA," Healey said, adding that the discount “is going to be, half price, actually.” She said the state budget and recent federal grants support the effort and urged community partners to help spread the word.

Officials said the program will be available to riders whose income qualifies them for programs such as SNAP or MassHealth and noted that students, young adults, seniors and people with disabilities already qualify for existing reduced‑fare programs. MBTA General Manager Phil Ng said online applications will include streamlined eligibility verification tied to those benefits and that partners will provide in‑person help at community sites.

"Beginning tomorrow, September 4th, people will be able to access this program," Ng said, thanking agency staff and community partners for implementing the program.

The MBTA and administration officials estimated the program will benefit more than 60,000 riders and could enable up to 8 million additional trips annually; Healey said riders could save "over $700" a year — officials provided an approximate figure of about $720 in testimony. The administration also cited roughly $67,000,000 in recently secured federal funds for Green Line accessibility projects as part of broader capital investments.

Michael Cole, chief operating officer of the Department of Transitional Assistance, said DTA will support eligibility verification through existing benefit programs and framed the fare reduction as a tool for improving access to employment, education and essential services.

Sharon Scott Chandler, president and CEO of Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD), outlined plans for in‑person signups: ABCD will staff five neighborhood opportunity centers at launch and expand to 31 access points in the coming weeks and months to assist residents with applications and translations when needed.

A community member who spoke at the event, Jason Van, described relying on transit to get his daughter to school and said the reduced fare will free household resources for other needs. "I don't have a car. I rely on the public transportation to get my daughter, Leah, to school," he said.

Healey said the program is covered in the state operating budget and that the administration intends for the funding to be sustained. No formal vote or legislative action was announced at the event; officials said the funding for the initial rollout had been appropriated in recent budgets and that implementation will be coordinated among the MBTA, DTA and community partners.

Officials encouraged eligible riders to apply and seek help through partner sites and agency portals. The MBTA and partner organizations will provide additional details on enrollment and access points in the coming days.

The event concluded with brief questions from attendees and closing remarks from the governor.