Boston Public Schools Expand Free T-Pass For Students

BOSTON — Boston Public Schools have expanded a program that gives free T passes to students, allowing as many as 10,000 more students to take the MBTA to and from school. This comes as the T has been struggling with Red Line problems and perennial reliability issues, and is in the middle of a repair program that will send people off the T and onto shuttle buses.

"The 'M7' MBTA passes, now available for free for all students in grades 7-12, will open doors of opportunity for more students to participate in internships, after-school programs, college credit courses, athletics, and jobs," said the district in a statement, adding most are excited about the news.

"The expanded access to M7 passes has received widespread praise from parents, students, educators, advocates, and community leaders. This is a win-win for our students, most of whom are already riding the MBTA, but now can access it at no cost to them," according to the statement.

In September, all Boston students in grades 7-12 living and attending school in Boston will receive an MBTA “M7” pass through their school. Previously the service was only available for high school students and there had been a requirement that a student had to live outside a certain distance from their school (1.5 to 2 miles).

"We wanted to expand access to educational opportunities for students of all backgrounds. This includes after-school programs, college credit courses, athletics, and jobs," said Boston Public Schools Spokesperson Dan O'Brien in an email.

Although the move has earned praise from those who now don't have to pay for the T passes, it has highlighted concerns from others that it could mean students won't get to school on time.

Still, the MBTA says this shouldn't overwhelm the system.

"Because ridership always increases in September, the MBTA adjusts its service delivery schedules accordingly," said MBTA spokesperson Joe Pesaturo. "For decades, the T has worked closely with Boston Public Schools to help make sure students get to school and back home safely and efficiently."

Last year the district handed out about 19,000 passes. Nearly 30,000 students can now get free passes. There are about 54,000 students in the district.

While the MBTA and the district project about 10,000 additional passes will be distributed to students, this does not translate into 10,000 additional riders, they say. Most of the students receiving these passes are already riding the T or will continue to walk and ride their bikes to school.

And although this comes as many are critical of the delays and recent derailments, the MBTA, meanwhile, reminds folks it's working to address the issues.

"The T is in the midst of an unprecedented $8 billion capital investment program, making significant improvements to infrastructure and vehicles, leading to better service reliability," he said in an email.

A study from at-large City Councilor Michelle Wu’s office in December reported the T’s delays often caused students to be late to school often.

Some teachers agree.

Gretchen Wagner who has worked at multiple Boston high schools said she often hears students say they were late to school because of issues with public transportation.

Abby Westcott works at a middle school in Brighton. She said almost all of the students she works with from sixth grade through eighth grades take the T to and from school. There are a lot of students who are late and some do blame the T, she said.

"But it's more often kids use the excuse they couldn't get up in the morning," she said.

The bigger issue?

"School buses being late, not picking up students and being late for pickup so kids get home around 5 p.m. or 5:30 p.m," she said.

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).