Take the T to Campus and Leave the Driving to Someone Else
There are many flexible, environmentally friendly and cost-effective options available to MIT commuters including a subsidized public transportation program. When MIT increased its subsidy of MBTA commuter rail passes to 50% for all zones, many employees who were not using the commuter rail discovered that it could be an attractive alternative to driving, especially when combined with an occasional parking permit.
Mobility Pass Trial
MIT, in cooperation with the MBTA, is testing a CharlieCard transit pass inside the MIT ID Card.
MIT Subsidy Program
MIT subsidizes the purchase of MBTA monthly passes for students and employees. Once you are enrolled in the program, a Charlie Card, a reusable T-pass, will be issued to all Bus and Monthly LinkPass users. A Charlie Ticket will be ordered for Commuter Rail and Commuter Boat riders and ready for pickup during the last three business days of each month. Student semester passes are also available and are are valid during each month of the semester. Please be aware that a semester pass cannot be cancelled or returned. New semester passes are issued each semester.
Who is eligible for the MIT T-pass program?
- Registered students who have a current bursar account and do not have a full parking permit.
- Employees who are eligible for payroll deduction and do not have a full parking permit.
Apply online for a T-pass at https://commuting.mit.edu.
T-Pass Pick Up Locations and Times
When you fill out the T-pass application, you choose one location where you would like to pick up your Charlie Ticket (monthly pass) every month: either the Stata Center, First Floor lobby across from the Information Desk, or the Parking and Transportation Office, Room W20-022.
Charlie Tickets are available for pick up during the last three business days and the first business day of the month at the Stata Center, First Floor lobby in the Vassar/Main Street lobby entrance, from 11 AM to 2 PM or the Parking and Transportation Office, Room W20-022 from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
Prepaid passes will be held in the Parking and Transportation Office
after the monthly pick up days and can be picked up weekdays from
8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
To change your pick up location or make other changes
to your T-pass selection, go to the Commuting
Online website. Follow the “continue” arrow to the
link where you can “change, cancel, or suspend” your account.
| MONTHLY PASS ZONES (EFFECTIVE 07/01/2012) | |||
| Zone | Regular Price | Subsidized Price | |
| Local Bus | $48.00 | $24.00 | |
| LinkPass | $70.00 | $35.00 | |
| Zone 1A | $70.00 | $35.00 | |
| Zone 1 | $173.00 | $86.50 | |
| Zone 2 | $189.00 | $94.50 | |
| Zone 3 | $212.00 | $106.00 | |
| Zone 4 | $228.00 | $114.00 | |
| Zone 5 | $252.00 | $126.00 | |
| Zone 6 | $275.00 | $137.50 | |
| Zone 7 | $291.00 | $145.50 | |
| Zone 8 | $314.00 | $157.00 | |
| Zone 9 | $329.00 | $164.50 | |
| Water Shuttle | $262.00 | $131.00 | |
| Inner Express Bus | $110.00 | $55.00 | |
| Outer Express Bus | $160.00 | $80.00 | |
Prices are subject to change without notice.
Pre-Tax Salary Reduction
When you elect to have the cost of a monthly T-pass or MBTA Commuter Rail Pass deducted directly from your pay by MIT, your monthly pay will be automatically reduced by the amount of that deduction up to the maximum allowed under the tax rules (with the balance of the monthly deduction beginning after-tax), unless you specifically elect otherwise, in writing, before each October 1st.
Because T-passes are available for purchase through MIT, your pre-tax payment for T-passes (up to the monthly pre-tax limit) is available only on a direct salary reduction basis. You cannot receive cash reimbursement for T-passes.
Additional information about this benefit can be found on the Qualified Transportation Benefit Plan page.
Car Insurance Discounts for Public Transit Users
Several auto insurance companies offer a discount to Massachusetts auto owners who use the public transit system as their primary source of transportation. Check with your auto insurance carrier for program details.
MIT Parking and Transportation can provide documentation as proof that you are a monthly transit user. Email tpass@mit.edu to request a letter.
To read other Frequently Asked Questions, go the T-Pass FAQs page.
