Governor announces summer commuter-rail discounts: free Fridays, 50% off monthly passes and $1 weekend companion fare

Governor announced a summer MBTA commuter-rail affordability program aimed at making transit cheaper and easier to use during a busy events season. "All Fridays are gonna be free on the commuter rail," the Governor said, and officials described four related discounts running in June, July and August.

The package includes free rides on regular commuter-rail services on all Fridays in June, July and August (including Juneteenth and July 3); a 50% discount on monthly commuter-rail and commuter-ferry passes for zones 1 through 10; expanded weekend zone access that lets monthly-pass holders travel as far as Zone 10 on weekends; and a $1 weekend companion pass that allows a monthly-pass holder to bring one additional person. The Governor also noted that children 11 and under will ride free with a guardian.

"On free summer Fridays across the commuter rail, all regular non event commuter rail services will be free on all Fridays in June, July, and August, including Juneteenth and July 3," Phil Lang, the agency official introducing the details, said. He added that the discounts apply to commuter-rail zones 1–10 and to commuter-ferry passes, and that riders who purchase passes in June through August will save "hundreds of dollars." Lang also said that the $1 companion pass is limited to a single companion on weekends.

Officials said several exceptions apply. Phil Lang said regular fares will remain in effect for Boston Stadium trains, the Cape Flyer and other special-event trains to Foxborough, and that the summer discounts do not apply to Zone 1A. For more information, Lang directed riders to mbta.com.

On funding and timeline, Lang said the program is included in the agency budget and estimated its value at about $9,000,000. "The pricing will be, shortly decided and and shared publicly, early April," he said about a separate event-train pass that will have different pricing and features.

Officials framed the program as both a rider benefit and an economic support for local businesses during a busy summer of events. They credited recent staffing increases and capital investments for enabling the expanded service and promotional offers, and asked riders to be patient as the system continues repairs and service improvements.

Officials said the MBTA will publish detailed terms, limits and purchase windows on mbta.com and that additional information about event-train pricing will be released in early April.