Bill > S942

This bill establishes a reduced fare pilot program for students at Bridgewater State University who use the South Coast Rail commuter rail service. Specifically, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) will collaborate with the university to offer student semester commuter rail passes at 50% of the standard fare for students residing in municipalities along the South Coast Rail corridor, which includes cities like New Bedford, Fall River, and Taunton, and towns such as Acushnet, Bridgewater, and Dartmouth. Bridgewater State University will be responsible for distributing these passes, prioritizing allocation based on student financial need. The pilot program is set to be implemented for the 2025-2026 academic year, and the MBTA is required to submit a detailed report to legislative committees by September 1, 2026, which must include the total number of reduced passes distributed, a breakdown of passes by city or town of residence, and the total program implementation costs.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S942