MBTA Semester Pass Program
MCPHS participates in the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Semester Pass Program offered for enrolled students. The program offers discounted rates off of the regular monthly "T" pass price. To qualify for the MBTA Semester Pass Program, you must be a full-time MCPHS student and may only purchase one pass.
Purchase your MBTA Semester Pass
Students can purchase the MBTA Semester Pass through the MCPHS Tickets platform. No cancellations or refunds are allowed. Only credit or debit cards will be accepted for payment.
The MBTA offers an 11% discount on passes. Additionally, the MCPHS Center for Campus Life provides students with a further 9% discount, resulting in a total savings of 20%. For detailed pricing, please see the MCPHS Tickets platform.
Pass Purchase Deadlines
Fall 2024 Semester Pass:
Order deadline: August 1, 2024
Valid: September 1 – December 31, 2024
Spring 2025 Semester Pass:
Order deadline: December 1, 2024
Valid: January 1 – April 30, 2025
Pass Pick-Up Dates
Fall 2024 Semester pass distribution will take place from Tuesday, August 29, to Friday, September 1, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Center for Campus Life will notify students about the pass pick-up locations via their MCPHS email once we receive all passes from the MBTA. This distribution will occur in conjunction with Move-In Day and Welcome Week events.
MBTA Semester Pass Policies
- All orders are non-refundable and non-transferable.
- The semester pass must only be used by currently enrolled, degree-seeking MCPHS students. Students may not purchase passes for friends, family, alums, or partners.
- The MBTA Semester Pass must be picked up at the designated locations on each campus. The Center for Campus Life does not mail MBTA semester passes to students.
Frequently Asked Questions
Students can purchase the MBTA Semester Pass through the MCPHS University Tickets platform. There are no cancellations or refunds; only credit or debit cards will be accepted for payment.
The MBTA provides information about the commuter rail, a zone map, and a Trip Planner resource to help you determine the best route from your home to the MCPHS Boston campus. The most commonly purchased passes for MCPHS students are the Local Bus Pass (includes unlimited travel on local buses) and the Link Pass (includes unlimited travel on local buses and subway lines). See the MCPHS Tickets platform for more detailed pass types and zone information.
Both of these passes cost the same. However, the Link Pass offers unlimited travel on the subway and local bus lines, while the Zone 1A pass offers the same coverage as the Link Pass (unlimited subway and local bus) with the addition of Zone 1A commuter rail stops. Please visit the MBTA website to learn which stops are included in the Zone 1A pass.
The Link Pass is purchased once, lasts for the semester, and can be replaced when lost. The Zone 1A Pass must be obtained monthly towards the end of each month (i.e., February's pass will be obtained at the end of January) and cannot be replaced if lost (students must wait for the following month's pass to arrive).
Only Bus and Link passes will be replaced by the MBTA. If you lose your Bus or Link pass, email campus.life@mcphs.edu, and they will deactivate your lost pass and order you a replacement one. Replacement can take a week or more. Commuter rail passes cannot be replaced if lost (students must wait for the following month's pass to arrive).
No, the MBTA administers the semester pass program and only provides semester passes for the fall and spring. The summer months are not part of the program.
No, deadlines are set by the MBTA, so they are not flexible. Orders placed or changed after the order deadline cannot be filled. You can instead ask for a blank Charlie Card at the Cardinal Booth, which you can add funds to at any underground stop.