Melrose Joins MBTA Youth Pass Program

Eligible Young Adults Can Apply Online for 2022 Youth Pass
MBTA Logo and City Seal

The City of Melrose is pleased to announce that Melrose has joined the MBTA’s Youth Pass program, which helps provide affordable transit access for young people with low-income. 

The Youth Pass is a card that can be used by eligible young adults with low incomes to purchase roughly 50% reduced one-way fares or $30 monthly LinkPasses for the bus, subway, and Fairmount Line Zone 1A stations at MBTA Fare Vending Machines, the CharlieCard Store, fare boxes on buses and trolleys at street-level stops, or at retail sales locations. Youth Pass cards can also be used to purchase half-price one-way fares for Commuter Rail, Express Bus, and ferry.

Young people residing in Melrose who are interested in applying to the reduced fare Youth Pass program should complete the MBTA’s Youth Pass online application. Approved applicants will receive their cards in the mail or can pick their card up at the Milano Senior Center located at 201 W. Foster Street, Melrose, MA 02176. Youth Passes for the 2022 program year are valid from November 1, 2021 through October 31, 2022.

In order to qualify for the Youth Pass, a young person must live in a participating city or town and either:

  • Be between 12 and 17 years old and not enrolled in middle or high school (students enrolled in middle or high school may receive a Student CharlieCard through their school);
  • Be between 18 and 25 years old and enrolled in at least one of the following Youth Pass partner programs (college and university students may be eligible for Semester Passes):
    • Alternative education program (e.g., high school equivalency degree programs);
    • Job training or professional development program (e.g., Year Up, Roca);
    • State or federal benefit program (e.g., MassHealth, SNAP, fuel assistance).

Youth Pass CharlieCards expire on November 1 each year, regardless of when they were received. You will need to re-apply each year to get a new card.

For more information, email melroseyouthpass@cityofmelrose.org (preferred) or call 781-662-6886.