Parental rights

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Burns and 25 co-sponsors

Requires MBTA to designate all Boston commuter rail stations as Zone 1A, lowering fares for Boston riders and promoting fare equity.

Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Chapman

Purpose and intent

The bill seeks to promote fare equity for commuters by altering how commuter rail stations in the City of Boston are categorized for fare purposes.

Specifically, it would require the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to designate all commuter rail stations located in Boston as Zone 1A, which is the lowest fare zone in the MBTA commuter rail system.

Key provisions

Legislative amendment: Inserts a new Section 53 into Chapter 161A of the General Laws, after Section 52.

Section 53 – Fare Equity:

The MBTA “is hereby required” to designate all commuter rail stations within the City of Boston as Zone 1A.
The stated aim is to promote fare equity for Boston commuters.

Who/what is affected

Commuter rail riders traveling to and from stations located in the City of Boston would be affected by the change in fare designation.

The MBTA would be the primary agency implementing the designation and any related fare scheduling/pricing adjustments.

Boston residents and workers who rely on commuter rail in the city could experience changes in travel costs.

Legislative status and timeline

Introduced: February 27, 2025.

House action: Referred to the Committee on Transportation (same date as introduction).

Senate action: Senate concurred on February 27, 2025.

House docket: HD 1964 accompanies the bill (the version content shows “House Docket No. 1964” with the petition by Consalvo, MacGregor, and Michelle Wu).

Hearing: Scheduled for September 16, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, in Committee Room B-2.

The 2025-2026 General Court session status indicates ongoing consideration.

Potential impact and considerations

Fare implications:

By designating Boston commuter rail stations as Zone 1A, fares for trips to, from, or within Boston could be reduced relative to other zones, depending on current fare structures.
The change would effectively formalize a lower-cost option for commuting within Boston by rail.

Fiscal and operational effects:

MBTA would need to adjust fare schedules and revenue modeling to reflect the Zone 1A designation across all Boston stations.
Potential revenue implications for the MBTA and any cross-subsidization between zones.

Equity considerations:

The measure targets fare equity for Boston riders, aligning pricing with affordability goals in the city.

Related materials

Related bill: HD 1964 (replaces the current measure).

Title: An Act relative to fare equity.

Statutory reference: Proposed amendment to Chapter 161A, inserting Section 53 (Fare Equity).

If you’d like, I can add a brief comparison to existing MBTA fare zones or provide a plain-language explainer of what Zone 1A typically entails for riders.

Bill