MBTA Commuter Rail Prices Halved for South Coast Students
BSU students from the South Coast will now have the opportunity to commute by train at half price following an agreement between the college and state legislators. For the over 70% of our students who commute to BSU, the discount could potentially save hundreds of dollars annually, for those who rely on the commuter rail for travel.
The idea came from the Board of Trustees’ former student representative Emily Rose, who reached out to President Fred Clark after students informed her transportation had been a barrier to education for them. Clark connected Rose with State Senator Mark Montigny, and according to Vinny deMacedo, BSU’s Special Advisor to the President, “Rose made a wonderful argument about this matter as a pilot project, and Montigny included the earmark in last year’s budget.” DeMacedo added, “We believe there will be much more success next year, and we hope to continue to advocate on Beacon Hill.”
To purchase a pass, students can go to the website secure.touchnet.com/C20026_ustores/web/store_main.jsp?STOREID=128&SINGLESTORE=true, or scan the QR code outside the Off-Campus & Commuter Student Services (OCCSS) office located on the ground floor of the Rondileau Student Union. To purchase a pass, students are required to submit their name, contact information, student credentials, and home address to verify they qualify. Once their order is completed, students will receive a digital receipt which can be redeemed at the OCCSS office.
Students interested in learning more about the impact of the commuter rail expansion can also attend BSU’s upcoming transportation event on June 2 from 8:30 AM–12:30 PM, which will focus on the impact of commuter rail on the gateway cities of Southern Massachusetts. The event will feature a keynote from MBTA General Manager Phil Eng, along with panels featuring local industry leaders and city mayors.
