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HD 3431

An Act to promote commuter rail ridership

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Tony Cabral and 5 co-sponsors

Reform MBTA commuter rail fares to lower weekday costs and simplify pricing, boosting ridership in transit-oriented areas, with pilots to test impact.

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Bill Summary · HD 3431

Summary: An Act to promote commuter rail ridership (House Docket No. 3431)

Purpose and intent

This proposed Massachusetts bill seeks to increase MBTA commuter rail ridership by reforming the fare structure and pricing strategy. The core idea is to make weekday commuter rail travel more affordable and predictable for riders, especially in transit-oriented communities, while introducing pilots to test the impact of these changes.

Key provisions

  • Section 53: Commuter rail service fares
    • The MBTA General Manager would create a new fare structure for commuter rail designed to boost ridership among residents in transit-oriented areas. Specific elements under consideration include:
    • A $10 all-inclusive weekday fare, aligned with the existing $10 fare on weekends and holidays.
    • One-way fares capped at no more than three times the regular subway fare.
    • Monthly passes tailored for “hybrid” workers (e.g., those who commute three days per week rather than five).
    • Discounts for purchasing multiple rides (e.g., 10- or 12-pack tickets).
    • Simplification of pricing by reducing the number of commuter rail zones.
    • Off-setting price reductions with increased parking rates.

Implementation timeline and requirements

  • Section 2 (12 months after enactment): The MBTA General Manager must submit recommendations on these and other possibilities to the Governor and the Legislature, including estimates of anticipated ridership impact.
  • Section 3 (24 months after enactment): The MBTA General Manager must implement pilot programs to test the proposed changes and assess their impact on ridership, based on the Section 1 recommendations.

Affected parties and potential impacts

  • Primary stakeholders: MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority), commuter rail riders, and residents in transit-oriented areas.
  • Policy aims: Lower weekday travel costs, simplify fare structures, and encourage more people to use commuter rail.
  • Financial considerations: The bill contemplates offsetting fare reductions with higher parking rates, signaling a shift in how revenue and cross-subsidies might balance out.
  • Operational considerations: The plan relies on MBTA leadership to design and test new fare options before broader adoption.

Status and context

  • The bill is a proposed measure introduced in the 2025-2026 General Court. It would amend Chapter 161A by inserting a new Section 53 on commuter rail fares.
  • Specific status (e.g., enacted, pending committee action) is not stated in the provided material. The companion petition/bill is House No. 3632.

Bottom line

HD 3431 proposes a comprehensive set of fare reforms aimed at boosting MBTA commuter rail ridership through lower, simplified, and more flexible pricing, coupled with a structured timeline for recommendations and pilots to evaluate effectiveness.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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