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NICOLAUS CZARNECKI/METRO
Authors of the OpportuniT report are, from left: Tyree Ware, 19, Tai Tang, 19, Amatullah Mervin, 18, and Davonte Jordan, 17. They brought their concerns to MBTA GM Rich Davey last week.
A collaboration of city youth groups is urging the MBTA to launch a Youth Pass program that offers $10 unrestricted monthly fares for anyone between the ages of 12 and 21.
A non-student Charlie Card LinkPass currently costs $59 for unlimited ridership each month.
But MBTA General Manager Richard Davey said the plan would cost up to $27 million in lost revenue.
“I was frank with the youth. ... There are obligations to think about. Right now, we are an under- resourced agency,” he said.
For several years, Youth Way on the MBTA collected data and conducted OpportuniT surveys revealing that numerous young riders who rely on public transportation can’t afford the T, resulting in missed classes and job loss.
Tyree Ware, 19, a member of the group, said he takes several buses and trains to get to work in order to provide financial support for his family. Without a discount, dishing out dollars daily to use the T puts a dent in his wallet.
“Youth Pass would benefit young adults out there who need an affordable way to get around,” said Ware.
Last Friday, Davey met with Youth Way to hear their pitch on the pass.
At the meeting, Davey said a pilot program for the pass could begin if it did not result in a loss of revenue.
“What they proposed is 100 to 500 passes to be [monitored] over a few months,” said Davey. “That would give [the T] a flavor for how often passes would be used and how much revenue would be lost.”
Davey said public transportation is a “lifeline for many young individuals,” but the MBTA doesn’t have future plans for reducing youth prices.
About the group
Youth Way on the MBTA is a youth-led campaign partnership between the Boston-area Youth Organizing Project, Roxbury Environmental Empowerment Project and the T Riders Union.
In 2009, after Youth Way surveyed 1,600 young riders, Secretary of Transportation James Aloisi Jr. agreed to extend the cutoff time for the MBTA student monthly pass and Student Charlie Card from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Survey
An OpportuniT survey of 2,400 youth riders shows:
48%
Were late for school because they didn’t have money for the T
20%
Were absent from school for the same reason
29%
Missed work or came in late because they couldn’t afford the fare
2/3
Spend more than $20 per month on MBTA services
For more Boston local news and breaking updates follow Steve Annear on Twitter @steveannear.
A non-student Charlie Card LinkPass currently costs $59 for unlimited ridership each month.
But MBTA General Manager Richard Davey said the plan would cost up to $27 million in lost revenue.
“I was frank with the youth. ... There are obligations to think about. Right now, we are an under- resourced agency,” he said.
For several years, Youth Way on the MBTA collected data and conducted OpportuniT surveys revealing that numerous young riders who rely on public transportation can’t afford the T, resulting in missed classes and job loss.
Tyree Ware, 19, a member of the group, said he takes several buses and trains to get to work in order to provide financial support for his family. Without a discount, dishing out dollars daily to use the T puts a dent in his wallet.
“Youth Pass would benefit young adults out there who need an affordable way to get around,” said Ware.
Last Friday, Davey met with Youth Way to hear their pitch on the pass.
At the meeting, Davey said a pilot program for the pass could begin if it did not result in a loss of revenue.
“What they proposed is 100 to 500 passes to be [monitored] over a few months,” said Davey. “That would give [the T] a flavor for how often passes would be used and how much revenue would be lost.”
Davey said public transportation is a “lifeline for many young individuals,” but the MBTA doesn’t have future plans for reducing youth prices.
About the group
Youth Way on the MBTA is a youth-led campaign partnership between the Boston-area Youth Organizing Project, Roxbury Environmental Empowerment Project and the T Riders Union.
In 2009, after Youth Way surveyed 1,600 young riders, Secretary of Transportation James Aloisi Jr. agreed to extend the cutoff time for the MBTA student monthly pass and Student Charlie Card from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Survey
An OpportuniT survey of 2,400 youth riders shows:
48%
Were late for school because they didn’t have money for the T
20%
Were absent from school for the same reason
29%
Missed work or came in late because they couldn’t afford the fare
2/3
Spend more than $20 per month on MBTA services
For more Boston local news and breaking updates follow Steve Annear on Twitter @steveannear.
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