A communication from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (see item 1596-2405 of Section 2F of Chapter 140 of the Acts of 2024) submitting its Income Eligible Fare report for fiscal year 2024

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

MassDOT’s IERF program provides at least 50% reduced fares to Massachusetts residents up to 200% FPL across MBTA modes and The RIDE.

Placed on file

Overview

HD 5350 is a proposed Massachusetts bill framed as a communication from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) submitting its Income Eligible Fare (IERF) report for Fiscal Year 2024. The bill references item 1596-2405 of Section 2F of Chapter 140 of the Acts of 2024. The measure is currently listed as “placed on file” and introduced on November 24, 2025.

Purpose and statutory basis

Purpose: To transmit MassDOT’s IERF report for FY2024 to the applicable legislative chairs and committees, in accordance with the referenced statutory provision.

Basis: Section 2F, Chapter 140 of the Acts of 2024 (and related lines in prior year Acts) require reporting on the IERF program's development, implementation, and early impact.

Program context and key provisions (as described in the accompanying materials)

MassDOT/MBTA has implemented the Income-Eligible Reduced Fares program (IERF), which expanded reduced fares to income-eligible riders across all MBTA modes and to The RIDE paratransit service for Seniors and income-eligible riders. Highlights include:
- Eligibility: Massachusetts residents with incomes up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) who are too young for Senior fares.
- Benefit: Reduced fares of at least 50% off full price across all modes (bus, subway, Commuter Rail, ferry, and paratransit).
- Launch timing: Expanded to all modes in 2024; The RIDE expansion launched in early September 2024.
- Funding to develop/launch:
- Development/approval: $5,000,000 allocated in the FY 2024 Final Budget.
- Launch: $20,000,000 allocated in the FY 2025 Final Budget.
- Enrollment and administration:
- Platform built through cross-agency collaboration (MBTA, RMV, MassDOT, EOHHS, DTA).
- Eligibility verification designed to reuse existing means-tested program enrollment (e.g., EAEDC, MASSGrant, MassHealth programs, SNAP, TAFDC).
- Identity verification via RMV customer records; reliance on online, automated processes to reduce manual handling.
- Online-first application with in-person support available through partner networks (ABCD and MASSCAP) to minimize barriers.
- Efficiency and impact:
- Auto-approval rate about 70% online; ~25% approved online after submitting documents.
- >90% of eligible applicants approved online without in-person visits; 5–10% apply in person at designated centers.
- High user satisfaction (reported 95% satisfaction in a customer survey).
- Replaced the Youth Pass program for many income-eligible riders; IERF quickly enrolled thousands previously served by Youth Pass.
- Data reporting: The report covers enrollment and impact data through March 31, 2025, with updates through August 2025; reflects the period described in the statutory framework.

Who is affected

Primary beneficiaries: Massachusetts residents with incomes up to 200% FPL across MBTA modes and The RIDE paratransit service.

Secondary beneficiaries: Previous Youth Pass enrollees transitioning to IERF; individuals served via RMV identity verification and EOHHS program enrollment.

Implementing partners: MBTA, RMV, MassDOT, EOHHS, DTA; non-profit support networks ABCD and MASSCAP.

Procedural/timeline aspects

Statutory trigger: Report required under Section 2F, Chapter 140 of the Acts of 2024.

Data window: Information as of March 31, 2025, with updates through August 2025.

Legislative status: Placed on file as of November 24, 2025.

No explicit new policy changes enacted by the bill itself; it conveys the MBTA’s IERF report and program status to the Legislature.

Bill