College Student Semester Passes
Most colleges and universities in Greater Boston offer their students 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.
Check with your school’s student affairs or transportation office to find out how you can get one.
About Semester Passes
When you get a pass through the MBTA semester program, you get an 11% fare discount. Some schools offer additional aid, resulting in bigger discounts.
Your CharlieCard or CharlieTicket arrives loaded with the Semester Pass of your choice, depending on which mode of transit you take the most:
- Semester LinkPass: Unlimited travel on subway and local bus
- Semester Commuter Rail Pass: Unlimited travel on the Commuter Rail (up to the zone distance purchased), plus unlimited subway and local bus trips
We also offer bus-only passes and ferry passes.
For bus and subway passes, you’ll get a CharlieCard that is active for the entire semester.
For Commuter Rail and ferry passes, you’ll get a new CharlieTicket each month.
Pass Pricing
Pricing and length of passes depend on the mode of transit you take, and how long your semester is:
- 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)
You can also add cash value to your CharlieCard at fare vending machines, retail sales locations, and the Charlie Service Center. Fares paid with cash value will not be discounted.
Cards expire at the end of the chosen semester period. New passes need to be renewed before your school’s set deadline. Once your pass expires, you can’t use or add cash value or passes.
Participating Colleges and Universities
More than 40 colleges and universities in Greater Boston offer Semester Passes for students. If your school does not participate in the program, tell your student affairs office to visit our program page for more information.
You can also get a renewable monthly pass through our Auto-pay program.
Click a school’s link to learn more about getting a Semester Pass:
Replacing a Lost, Stolen or Damaged Card
If your pass is lost, stolen or damaged, contact your school administrator who will report it.
- Bus and subway passes can be reported lost or stolen through the Semester Pass Program website. A replacement CharlieCard will be sent via UPS within two business days.
- Commuter Rail and ferry passes cannot be replaced. Treat them like cash.
Are you a university administrator?
Learn more about ordering passes and offering them to students.
Planning a Trip
Find out how you can take the T to class or work with our trip planner. You can even tell it when you need to arrive so you aren't late.
T-Alerts
Stay informed. Get alerts about service delays and elevator/escalator outages by text or email.
For School Administrators
Find out how your school can sign up for the MBTA's institutional sales program.