The Youth Pass

Public transportation agencies provide reduced fares to seniors, students, and disabled people, but only infrequently provide discounts to low-income members of the general population. A major reason for this is that it is difficult and labor-intensive for transit agencies to determine who is of low income. To address societal need and pilot the feasibility of such a program, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) piloted a program for young people who were unable to receive reduced fares in another way. The MBTA partnered with local municipalities, and applicants proved their eligibility for the program through partner offices. The research requirements in the program provided adequate data to evaluate the effects of the program, but the requirements themselves negatively affected participation and attrition in the pilot. The ways the research affected participation are explored in detail, particularly the attrition rate of subjects throughout the study. It was found that the research requirements disproportionately affected those of very low income as well as African-American and Hispanic participants. Using the data from the pilot, the MBTA decided to implement a full youth pass program benefiting those populations without the barriers of the pilot.