Student T-Pass Program
For students, MIT subsidizes 50% of the cost of MBTA T-passes, which are available in a variety of options either monthly or – for even greater savings – as a semester bus and subway pass:
- Local bus only
- Local bus and subway
- Commuter rail plus local bus and subway (covering a range of zones at different prices)
- Inner express bus plus Silver Line, subway, and local bus
- Outer express bus plus Inner express bus, Silver Line, subway, and local bus
- Commuter boat 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. Note: Cross-registered and visiting students are not eligible.
How and when to get a T-pass, and how to renew 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.
If you want to order a T-pass at the beginning of a semester, when your Atlas account does not provide access, please email the Parking & Transportation office at tpass@mit.edu. We have a limited number of monthly and semester passes available to sell at the beginning of the semester but only during the last three business days of the month prior to activation and on the first business day of the month in which that pass will be active. Because only a limited number of passes are available, they are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis.
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 or check (made out to MIT) 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 ZONES (EFFECTIVE 07/01/2019) | |||
| 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.
