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S 2593

An Act to provide reduced or free fare on public transportation for students at public institutions of higher education

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mark Montigny

Massachusetts bill would require public transit systems to offer reduced or free fares to public university and college students to improve affordability and campus access.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · S 2593

Legislative bill overview

S 2593 would mandate reduced or free public transportation fares for students enrolled at Massachusetts public colleges and universities. The bill aims to lower transportation costs as a barrier to higher education access and attendance.

Why is this important

Student transportation costs directly impact affordability and completion rates, particularly for lower-income students who may choose between transit access and other necessities. Reduced fares could increase campus accessibility, boost enrollment at regional institutions, and reduce car dependency in urban areas.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding mechanism unclear: The bill does not specify how transit agencies or the state would offset lost revenue from reduced fares, potentially shifting costs to general taxpayers or requiring fare increases for non-students
  • Definition scope: The bill's coverage of "public institutions of higher education" may create equity questions if private colleges are excluded, and implementation details regarding part-time vs. full-time students remain undefined
  • Transit system burden: Regional transit authorities with limited budgets may struggle to absorb revenue loss, potentially affecting service quality or requiring state subsidies that compete with other budget priorities

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

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