Youth Pass Eligibility
The Youth Pass Program offers reduced fares to young adults with low income. The program is a partnership between the T and participating cities and towns.
Youth Pass CharlieCards can be loaded with:
- Cash value for roughly 50% reduced one-way fares
- $10 7-Day LinkPasses
- $30 monthly LinkPasses
Your card can also be used to purchase reduced monthly passes for Commuter Rail, Ferry, and Express Bus.
Youth Pass Reduced Fares
The Youth Pass CharlieCard provides reduced fares for bus, subway, Commuter Rail, Express Bus, and ferry.
Want to become a Youth Pass Partner?
If you're a municipal or nonprofit employee and are interested in launching the Youth Pass Program in your municipality, email us at youthpass@mbta.com.
Youth Pass Application Process
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Step 1. Make sure you're eligible
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To apply for the Youth Pass Program, you must:
- Live in a participating city or town
- Be between 18 and 25 and enrolled in at least one Youth Pass partner program
- Be between 12 and 17 and unable to get a Student CharlieCard through your middle or high school
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Step 2. Gather the required documents
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To apply, you’ll need documentation that shows:
- Your date of birth
- Your address
- Enrollment in a Youth Pass partner program
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Step 3. Fill out the application
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Youth Pass CharlieCards are valid from November 1 of the current year to October 31 of the following year. Cards issued for the previous year expire on November 1.
Riders will need to re-apply each year to be issued a new card.
Are you a middle or high school student? You may be eligible for a Student CharlieCard (M7 or S-Card) through your school. College and university students may be eligible for Semester Passes.
Am I eligible for a Youth Pass?
You may be eligible if you are between 12 and 25, live in a participating city or town, are enrolled in a Youth Pass partner program, and are not able to get a Student CharlieCard (M7 or S-Card) through your middle or high school.
Note: Immigration or citizenship status is not used to determine Youth Pass eligibility.
What documents do I need to apply?
You’ll need documents that show proof of age, address, and enrollment in a Youth Pass partner program. See what documents are accepted for each category below.
Proof of Age
- Birth certificate
- A government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, passport, state ID, or another photo ID issued by a government agency. You can use an expired ID as long as the expiration date is within the last three years.
- Visa, residency, or immigration document
- A notarized affidavit from a parent or legal guardian
Proof of Address
- A government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, passport, state ID, or another photo ID issued by a government agency. Expired IDs will not be accepted.
- Utility or phone bill with your name, address, and issued within the last 90 days
- Signed lease agreement
- Bank statement, W-2, or pay stub
- Official school transcript, proof of enrollment, or tuition bill for current year
See examples of eligibility documents
Proof of Enrollment in a Youth Pass Partner Program
If you’re over 18, you’ll need to show that you’re enrolled in a Youth Pass partner program. Examples of partner programs include:
- State or federal benefit programs (like MASSGrant, MassHealth, or SNAP)
- Alternative education programs (like high school equivalency degree programs)
- Job training or professional development programs (like Year Up or Roca)
Proof of enrollment documents vary based on each program.
Apply Online
Youth Passes for the 2023 program year are valid from November 1, 2022 through October 31, 2023. You can now apply online.
Check your corresponding Youth Pass partner, alternative education, or job training and professional development program below for a list of accepted documents and contact information.
State and Federal Benefit Programs
Accepted plans include:
- Allways Health Partners Complete HMO
- Boston Medical Center HealthNet Plan
- Fallon Health, Community Care Network HMO
- Health New England HMO
- Tufts Health Direct
Note: Not all health insurance plans administered through the MA Health Connector system are eligible.
Accepted Documents:
- Enrollment or benefits letter
- Screenshot of enrollment from the “My Enrollments” section of your MA Health Connector account
- ConnectorCare card with your name and ConnectorCare plan type from any ConnectorCare health insurer. For example:
Contact:
You can use the DTA Connect mobile app or website to find your case manager’s information, take a screenshot, or find the following accepted documents:
- Benefit calculation notice
- Click “Documents” then select “Benefit Calculation Notice”
- Income verification letter
- Click “Benefit Details,” then select “Request Income Verification Letter”
You may also use an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card with your name if you are the head of household for your case.
Example of an accepted DTA Connect screenshot:
Contact:
All MassHealth programs are accepted, including:
- BMC HealthNet
- BMC HealthNet Plan Community Alliance
- Community Care Cooperative (C3)
- Mass General Brigham ACO
- Partners HealthCare Choice
- Primary Care Clinician Plan
- Steward Health Choice
- Tufts Health Together
- Tufts Health Together with Atrius Health
- Tufts Health Together with BIDCO
- Tufts Health Together with Boston Children's ACO
- Tufts Health Together with CHA
- Wellforce Care Plan
Accepted Documents:
- Enrollment or benefits letter
- Screenshot of enrollment from the “My Enrollments” section of your MA Health Connector account
- MassHealth card with your name on it, including:
- BlueCard
- Cards from any affiliated Accountable Care Organization (ACO), Managed Care Organization (MCO) or Primary Care Clinician (PCC)
For example, cards such as these:
Contact:
Use the DTA Connect mobile app or website to find your case manager’s information, take a screenshot or find the following accepted documents:
- Benefit calculation notice
- Click “Documents” then select “Benefit Calculation Notice”
- Income verification letter
- Click “Benefit Details,” then select “Request Income Verification Letter”
You may also use an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card with your name if you are the head of household for your case.
Example of an accepted DTA Connect screenshot:
Contact:
Use the DTA Connect mobile app or website to find your case manager’s information, take a screenshot or find the following accepted documents:
- Benefit calculation notice
- Click “Documents” then select “Benefit Calculation Notice”
- Income verification letter
- Click “Benefit Details,” then select “Request Income Verification Letter”
You may also use an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card with your name if you are the head of household for your case.
Example of an accepted DTA Connect screenshot:
Contact:
Accepted Documents:
- Enrollment or benefits letter
- A WIC Gold Card. For example:
Contact:
Alternative Education Programs
Job Training or Professional Development Programs
Participating Cities and Towns
To apply in person, or if you have questions, contact your participating city or town below.
Youth Pass Reduced Fares
The Youth Pass CharlieCard provides reduced fares for bus, subway, Commuter Rail, Express Bus, and ferry.
Want to become a Youth Pass Partner?
If you're a municipal or nonprofit employee and are interested in launching the Youth Pass Program in your municipality, email us at youthpass@mbta.com.
Apply Online
Youth Passes for the 2023 program year are valid from November 1, 2022 through October 31, 2023. You can now apply online.