Access MIT FAQ
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MIT ID card with Access MIT chip |
MIT ID card with Access MIT chip
How do I get an ID card with the chip that provides free MBTA subway and local bus transit?
New benefits-eligible employees on the Cambridge campus will automatically receive an embedded Access MIT chip (also called an MBTA CharlieCard chip) that enables the ID to function as a T-pass and ensures that public transit is always an easy, accessible, no-cost alternative to driving. The embedded chip expires and must be renewed every 8 years.
- All MIT IDs issued to benefits-eligible Cambridge employees after June 2016 have the embedded chip.
- If you need a new MIT ID because your ID is older or the chip has expired, you can get a new card at one of the 10 card kiosks on campus, available 24/7, or by visiting the Atlas Service Center, Building E17 (40 Ames Street, first floor), during business hours.
- Note that a physical MIT ID card is necessary to access the free MBTA subway and bus benefits (your virtual card won’t work).
The MBTA-enabled ID is part of Access MIT, a broad initiative launched in June 2016 to change the culture of commuting and transportation on campus and minimize our impact on our environment by encouraging the use of low-carbon forms of transportation whenever possible.
If I have an MIT ID with an Access MIT chip in it, and I use it for MBTA benefits, can I still submit for bike commuter benefits?
Yes.
If I participate in the MIT-subsidized monthly T-pass program (commuter rail, express bus, or ferry), will I still have free local bus and subway access through my ID card?
These MBTA monthly commuter passes include local bus and subway service, so you won’t need to use the Access MIT chip in your ID card. The ID card will have the chip, but the chip will be disabled .
- Note that if you cancel or suspend your monthly MBTA pass, you will need to get a new MIT ID card if you want to regain the Access MIT local bus and subway benefits.
If I stop participating in the MIT-subsidized T-pass program, how do I restore Access MIT benefits (free local bus and subway) to my ID card?
If you cancel or suspend a monthly MBTA T-pass account, and you want to restore your MIT ID-based no-cost MBTA benefits, you will need a new ID card.
- You can get a new ID card at one of the 10 card kiosks on campus, available 24/7. Members of the MIT community can print a maximum of three replacement cards per year at no charge.
- You can also get a new ID card at the Atlas Service Center in Building E17 (40 Ames St.) during business hours.
Will the Access MIT chip in my ID card ever expire?
Every eight years, the Access MIT chip will expire and will need to be renewed (by replacing your ID card) if you want to maintain no-cost access to MBTA subway and local bus services.
- When you receive an email notification from IS&T advising you that it’s time to replace your card, you can print a new card at your convenience using one of the 10 card kiosks on campus, available 24/7, or you can visit the Atlas Service Center in Building E17 (40 Ames St, first floor).
- If you don’t use (and don’t plan to use) the MBTA benefits in your ID card, there’s no need to replace it, since its other functions will continue to work as usual.
- Note: Commuter rail/express bus/ferry access is not impacted when a chip expires.
What about privacy and tracking? I’m concerned about who has access to this information if I get an ID card with an MBTA chip embedded in it.
Other than containing an MBTA pass, your new ID will collect and treat information in exactly the same way as your old ID card. Local bus and subway usage data will be used by the MBTA to periodically calculate costs and invoice MIT. All information collection, storage, and use will continue to be governed by MIT policy.
Are you measuring the impact of this program?
Yes. In collaboration with the MIT Transit Lab, we will study the overall impact of these changes on our campus and surrounding community. We hope that our research-based approach will provide unique insight into the effectiveness of Access MIT and position us as a leader in smart, low-carbon commuting programs. We encourage you to explore public transportation options, even a few days a month, as reduction in car trips to campus will lower MIT’s commuter-related emissions, ease parking demand, and reduce our contribution to traffic congestion.
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Public transportation services
Can I use the T-pass for trips other than to commute to MIT? And can I use it outside of work hours?
Yes, you can use your T-pass to go anywhere, anytime, for whatever reason! MIT does not impose any restrictions on the pass.
I’ve never traveled on the MBTA before. Can you provide information for me to plan my commute using public transportation?
We recommend visiting the MBTA website and exploring the “Getting Around” section, which includes maps, information about stations, and a Trip Planner.
Is MIT doing anything to improve service on subway and bus lines?
As part of our ongoing relationship with the MBTA, MIT will continue to advocate for improved services and collaborate on strategies to address challenges.
How do I get reimbursed for parking at a commuter rail station?
Upload your MBTA parking lot receipts to the Transit Reimbursement smart form on Atlas and submit them on a monthly basis.
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Access MIT benefits eligibility
Do all MIT employees get Access MIT benefits?
Currently, this program is only available to Cambridge campus faculty and staff who are eligible for benefits and who don’t have an off-campus parking account or a resident parking account.
Do I get Access MIT benefits if I work at Lincoln Lab or another off-site location?
This program is only available to Cambridge campus faculty and staff because it was designed to enhance public transit options in this dense urban area.
If I’m a student, do I receive a free MBTA pass as part of this program?
Currently, this program is being funded through the MIT employee benefits program and only Cambridge campus benefits-eligible employees can participate. Students will continue to receive a 50% subsidy on their monthly T-pass. Students can also add value to the CharlieCard chip in their MIT ID (note that the chip provides MBTA access at unsubsidized face value).
What about postdocs, do they receive the Access MIT benefits?
Postdoctoral associates who work on the Cambridge campus are eligible for all elements of this benefit unless they have full-time off-campus or campus resident parking. Postdoctoral fellows may or may not be eligible, depending on the details of their appointment, and should contact tpass@mit.edu to learn more.
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