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College and University Semester Pass Administrators

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The T is working with school administrators to provide 11% discounts on MBTA passes for students through the Semester Pass Program. Monthly or semester-long options for prepaid passes that offer unlimited travel by bus, subway, Commuter Rail, and/or ferry are available.

Degree-granting colleges and universities with full-time course loads can offer the program to part-time or full-time students.

Register Here

You’ll use an online portal to sign up, place orders, and manage the program.

Already a Semester Pass administrator?

Are you a college student?

Riders at fare gates

Students in Greater Boston can receive discounted MBTA fares on Semester Passes. You can use these unlimited passes all semester long to get to class, head to work, or catch up with friends.

Learn more about student semester passes

Semester Pass Options

Universities can provide students with CharlieCards and CharlieTickets.

CharlieCards

  • For bus and subway
  • Provided prior to the start of the semester
  • Valid for an entire semester

CharlieTickets

  • For Commuter Rail and ferry
  • Provided monthly
  • Valid for a month after distribution

Note: CharlieCards and Tickets are issued by school adminstrators. The MBTA is not responsible for student distribution.

Passes are distributed based on a four to five month basis. Students can choose from the following:

  • September - December (4-month pass)
  • October - January (4-month pass)
  • January - April (4-month pass)
  • January - May (5-month pass)
  • February - May (4-month pass)

Schools may choose to offer the program to full-time and part-time students. Eligibility for the program is up to the discretion of school administrators.

Account Management

There are two types of Semester Pass Program administrator accounts:

Super-user

  • Can change financial, billing, and shipping address information or create accounts for other school staff.
  • School staff can only assign one super-user.

Administrator

  • Are assigned to their roles by super-users.
  • Can place or change orders, register new student accounts but cannot change financial or billing and shipping information.
  • School staff can assign as many administrators as needed.

Placing Your Order

School administrators can place orders and manage their accounts on the pass program portal.

Step 1: Place order and submit student information

Submit your order in the program portal by the 15th of the month before the start of the semester.

You can submit student information as a spreadsheet or text file. Visit “CharlieCard Management” in the program portal to learn more.

Step 2: Confirm and finalize order and pass assignments

Confirm your new CharlieCards under “CharlieCard Management.” 

Once all new CharlieCards are confirmed, you can assign them to students by selecting “Assign CharlieCards On Hand.”

Orders are fulfilled by the 27th of the month before the start of the semester.

Step 3: Review your order 

After the 15th of the month, you can review your order by selecting “Review Current Order.”

Learn More

Download the Semester Pass Program User Guide

Contact

For questions or comments, send an email to PassProgram@mbta.com or call 888-844-0353.

Register Here

You’ll use an online portal to sign up, place orders, and manage the program.

Already a Semester Pass administrator?

Are you a college student?

Riders at fare gates

Students in Greater Boston can receive discounted MBTA fares on Semester Passes. You can use these unlimited passes all semester long to get to class, head to work, or catch up with friends.

Learn more about student semester passes