Student T-pass Program
For students, MIT subsidizes 50-70% 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 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in a degree program are eligible for a 50% T-pass subsidy.
Some graduate students are eligible for a 70% subsidy on an MBTA Monthly Local Bus pass, Monthly LinkPass, or semester transit pass.
Note: Students who have campus resident parking accounts or who participate in a carpool are not eligible for the T-pass subsidy. Cross-registered and visiting students are also 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 if you place the order by the 10th of the month preceding the month or semester when you’ll start using the pass. Your 50% or 70% subsidy will be calculated automatically by the system and included in the pricing.
- When ordering a monthly pass, select the specific months when you want the pass to be active, and the pass will renew for those months automatically unless you cancel it online.
- A semester pass will expire at the end of the semester, and you will need to order a new semester pass in advance (by the 10th of this month for next month’s pass).
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. T-pass accounts can be suspended for up to three months. More info.
A limited number of LinkPass and semester passes may be available for purchase at the Atlas Service Center during the last three business days of the month before the pass will be used. These passes are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis and are subject to availability. Graduate students who are eligible for a 70% subsidy on these passes will need to share their MBTA subsidy eligibility information (in the Atlas app under “Funding - Documents and Benefits”) with the representative at the counter, so they may sell you the pass at the higher subsidy.
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 5:00 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.
Note: You cannot receive cash reimbursement for a T-pass you have purchased 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.
| MONTHLY PASS PRICES (EFFECTIVE FOR 2023-2024) | |||
| Zone | Regular Price | Subsidized Price | |
| Local Bus | $55.00 | $27.50 ($16.50*) | |
| LinkPass | $90.00 | $45 ($27*) | |
| 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 | |
*The 70% subsidy applies to eligible graduate student commuters.
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.
