Student T-Pass Program
Spotlight |
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MBTA Commuter Rail and LinkPass distribution |
For students, MIT subsidizes 50% of the cost of an MBTA public transit pass (or “T-pass”), which is available in a variety of options either monthly or – for even greater savings – as a semester bus and subway pass:
- Monthly Local Bus pass
- Monthly LinkPass (local bus and subway)
- Monthly Express Bus pass (local bus, express bus, and subway)
- Semester pass (local bus and subway)
- Monthly Commuter Rail pass (commuter rail plus local bus and subway, covering a range of commuter rail zones at different prices)
- Monthly commuter boat pass (all ferries plus local bus and subway)
Who is eligible?
All MIT students enrolled in a degree program are eligible for the T-pass program except students who have campus resident parking accounts or who participate in a carpool. Note: Cross-registered and visiting students are not eligible.
How and when to get a T-pass, and how to renew or cancel it
You can obtain a student T-pass through your Atlas account, and you must complete the order at least one month and one day in advance. If you order a monthly pass, you select specific months when you want the pass to be active, and the pass will renew for those months automatically unless you cancel it online. If you order a semester pass, it will expire at the end of the semester, and a new semester pass must be ordered at least one month and one day in advance of the beginning of the semester.
If you want to cancel or suspend your automatically renewing monthly T-pass, you must do this through Atlas by the 15th of the month before cancellation or suspension. The T-pass will continue auto-renewing for selected months until you cancel or suspend.
Passes are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. Subject to availability, these passes can be purchased beginning on the last three business days of the month prior to activation and up until the 8th day of the month in which the pass will be active.
When and where to pick up the T-pass
Student T-passes ordered online through Atlas can be picked up at the Atlas Service Center (E17-106, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM) during the last three business days of the month prior to activation and any time during the month or semester in which that pass is active. Note that if you pick up your pass partway through the month, you will still pay the full monthly cost (no partial or full refunds).
Paying for your T-pass
Because T-passes are purchased through MIT, the cost of your T-pass must be charged to your bursar’s (student) account. You will see the T-pass charge for an upcoming month on your account during the current month. For example, you are charged in October for a November T-pass. You cannot receive cash reimbursement for a T-pass purchase you make on your own.
If for any reason the bursar’s office is unable to deduct the fee from your student account, you will have to pay by credit card when you pick up the pass. If the bursar’s office is also unable to deduct the fee from your account the next time it is due, and if the problem cannot be rectified, your T-pass account will be terminated.
To make any changes to your T-pass account, visit the Atlas website. T-pass accounts can be suspended for up to three months.
| MONTHLY PASS PRICES (EFFECTIVE FOR 2021-2022) | |||
| Zone | Regular Price | Subsidized Price | |
| Local Bus | $55.00 | $27.50 | |
| LinkPass | $90.00 | $45.00 | |
| Zone 1A | $90.00 | $45.00 | |
| Zone 1 | $214.00 | $107.00 | |
| Zone 2 | $232.00 | $116.00 | |
| Zone 3 | $261.00 | $130.50 | |
| Zone 4 | $281.00 | $140.50 | |
| Zone 5 | $311.00 | $155.50 | |
| Zone 6 | $340.00 | $170.00 | |
| Zone 7 | $360.00 | $180.00 | |
| Zone 8 | $388.00 | $194.00 | |
| Zone 9 | $406.00 | $203.00 | |
| Zone 10 | $426.00 | $213.00 | |
| Inner Express Bus | $136.00 | $68.00 | |
| Outer Express Bus | $168.00 | $84.00 | |
| Hingham/Hull Commuter Ferry | $329.00 | $164.50 | |
| Charlestown Inner Harbor Ferry | $90.00 | $45.00 | |
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.
The MIT Parking and Transportation Office 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.
