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MBTA announces 50% reduced fare program for low-income riders proposal - Boston Herald

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The MBTA announced a new low-income fare program that would provide discounted rates on the T and Commuter Rail for income eligible riders, presenting the proposal to the MBTA Board on Thursday before kicking off a public comment period.

“This program will provide about half price tickets and passes for low income riders on all of our modes under 200% of the federal poverty line,” said Steven Povich, MBTA director of fare policy and analytics.

The proposal, which is packaged with other changes, would provide riders who are 26 to 64 years old, non-disabled, and low-income with reduced fares of approximately 50% off on all MBTA modes, including the Commuter Rail and paratransit RIDE services.

Income eligibility would be at or below 200% of the federal poverty limit, which translates to about $30,000 for a single-person household and $60,000 a year for a family of four. Povich estimated 60,000 current T riders would meet the threshold.

The announcement comes days after Gov. Healey included $45 million for the low-income fare program in the next budget proposal. The administration included $5 million in the FY 2024 budget to develop the program.

Povich argued the discounted fares “improve affordability for low income riders, increased economic mobility across our entire service area on all of our modes, drive mode shift and encourage ridership in a targeted and financially sustainable approach that we can afford.”

The program brought in broad support from the riders who spoke during the public comment section of the meeting.

The MBTA estimates the program will cost $52-62 million, including administrative and operating costs and fare revenue loss. T officials said research estimates low-income riders are expected to take 30% more trips and the program is expected to generate 7 million more trips per year.

The proposal package would also make the $10 Weekend Commuter Rail Pass permanent even during holidays and get rid of the system of giving people who pay in cash change via Charlie Card.

MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng encouraged riders to engage in the upcoming public comment sessions.

“As we rebuild and restore MBTA service, we are also focused on making fares more affordable, improving quality of life, boosting economic mobility across the entire MBTA service area, and encouraging more riders to return to the system following the pandemic,” said Eng.

If approved by the MBTA Board of Directors, these fare changes would go into effect in spring and summer 2024. More information on meetings for public comment on the program can be found at mbta.com/events.

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