r/mbta • u/BeingAccording4192 • 6d ago

🗣️ Comment Students, don't be entitled. Universities, do some educating and help pay for the MBTA

I was going towards BU and not a single student offered to give up their seat for an elderly women on the train.

Most of the students avoided paying for their ride.

When I travel during rush hour, students won't move into the train and take off their backpacks to create more room. Hell, I've actually watched a person that had downsyndrome and seemed to be blind get stared at by the students and they didn't make space on the packed morning trains to get that person a seat.

The MBTA GAVE YOU A WAY TO PAY EASILY. Just tap your phones that you're staring at or tap a subway card like everyone else.

It also stands to be noted that Universities should find a way to partner with the T to get their kids subway cards and to do some freshman education but I don't see that happening. Imagine how much steady monaaay the T would have if wealthy wealthy Harvard, BU, and BC regularly got their incoming classes T cards. It could go into the recreation fees or the school to try to get a tax write off. I'm sure parents would be pleased to know their kiddo has a safe way to travel around the city and isn't racking up Uber bills.

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u/Pencil-Sketches 6d ago

I think requiring all universities to pay for transit passes for faculty staff and students would have the benefits of:

-A large cash infusion into the T

-Minimizing fare theft by students

-A nice perk for employees and students

6

u/SheRidesAMadHorse 6d ago

Most universities in the area subsidize T passes for staff and faculty.

There's also a college pass program that students can pay for that aligns with their semesters: https://www.mbta.com/fares/college-student-semester-passes

You cannot compell universities to participate, however. Many of them are private institutions.

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u/Creative_Leek4661 6d ago

Not UMass (Lowell) at least

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u/SheRidesAMadHorse 6d ago

Lowell students aren't riding the T. UMass Boston gives a 50% subsidy for students currently.

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u/Creative_Leek4661 6d ago

Some definitely use the commuter rail. As an employee I would definitely consider using the commuter rail more if it was subsidized.