Starting this fall, Tufts University students are getting a travel upgrade, thanks to a new partnership with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). Undergraduates at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University (SMFA) will soon have unlimited access to local subway and bus rides, all on the university's dime. This pilot program, dubbed the University Pass, is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between the MBTA and a higher education institution.
As the MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng puts it, the initiative is aimed at "increasing easy access to public transit," which translates to more freedom for Tufts students to get to classes, do internships, and participate in recreational activities. The objective is to establish a precedent for environmentally conscious travel and reduce both roadway congestion and carbon emissions. Eng expressed gratitude for Tufts' commitment to fully fund subway and local bus trips for the SMFA undergraduates in a statement obtained by the MBTA's official news post.
Tufts University's vice president for operations, Barb Stein, highlighted the need for flexible travel options for students shuttling between the Medford/Somerville campus and the SMFA at Tufts in Boston. Stein mentioned that the MBTA's Green Line provides more frequent service than private shuttles, offering students convenience and reliable transportation. According to the plan detailed in the MBTA release, participating students will be enrolled automatically and receive their University Passes on a CharlieCard. In essence, these passes give students the agency to travel without concern about transport costs.
The University Pass works on a similar basis to the MBTA's Pay Per Use program for employers. Initial pricing will be based on estimated ridership, with adjustments made in the second year after actual usage data is collected. Unlike the Semester Pass, which offers an 11% discount on fares for students, the University Pass sets a flat monthly rate for unlimited MBTA access for Tufts students. Despite the launch of this new program, the MBTA's Youth Pass is still an option for 18–25-year-olds meeting certain income requirements, offering roughly a 50% discount on fares.
It appears that this pilot could be just the beginning of a broader initiative. Any college or university in the Boston area intrigued by the University Pass pilot is encouraged to reach out to the MBTA. The pilot will ask prospective institutions to define the cohort of students to be enrolled based on various factors including enrollment status, degree type, and campus location. For those interested in providing similar travel benefits, reaching out to the MBTA could expand the horizons for countless students across Boston.
