Boston begins free transit pilot

Massachusetts Bay Area Transportation Authority and Bluebikes passes on offer
Mobility as a Service / April 7, 2021
By Ben Spencer
Boston Blue Bikes Massachusetts Bay Area Transportation Authority MBTA free transit
Programme aimed at incentivising a safe and sustainable alternative to driving to work (© Ustudent | Dreamstime.com)

The City of Boston is offering preloaded Massachusetts Bay Area Transportation Authority (MBTA) and Bluebikes passes for the first 1,000 employees that join a new programme. 

The US city is launching the two-month Main Streets Free Public Transit Pilot to support the Covid-19 recovery. 

Some people will be randomly selected to get an MBTA pass with the full $60 right away while others will get two cards after four weeks with values that add up to $60. 

Bluebikes pass-holders must complete trips within 45 minutes to avoid usage fees of $2 per additional 30 minutes. 

Riders are responsible for any fees and for bikes that go missing during the rental period but there is no obligation to continue paying for the pass after the trial. 

The pilot is taking place in the main street districts of Nubian Square, Three Squares (Jamaica Plain), Mission Hill, East Boston and Fields Corner.

The city says on its website that all employees in the selected main streets are within walking distance of a Bluebikes station, bus route and subway line.

The programme is aimed at incentivising a safe and sustainable alternative to driving to work, the city adds. 

For more information on companies in this article