UMass Boston

MBTA Employee Benefits

UMass Boston employees can purchase discounted MBTA passes through Edenred using pre-tax payroll deduction. Eligible employees can enroll monthly, manage their benefit through Edenred, and receive a university discount on eligible MBTA passes.

Benefits at a Glance

  • Eligibility: benefitted faculty and staff.
  • Discount: 20% off eligible MBTA passes, up to $72 per month.
  • Deadline: enroll, change, or cancel by the 10th of each month for the following month’s pass.
  • Parking restriction: employees may not hold a university-sponsored MBTA pass and a university parking permit at the same time.

Enrollment Rules & Restrictions 

  • Enrollment, changes, and cancellations must be completed by the 10th of each month. For example, changes for February must be submitted by January 10 at midnight ET.
  • Employees with parking permits must cancel their permit before enrolling; parking is managed separately through the UMass Boston parking system.

Monthly pricing

Employee prices reflect a 20% discount on eligible MBTA passes, subject to a $72 monthly cap.

Pass Type

MBTA Retail Price
(Monthly)

UMB Employee Price
(Monthly)

Bus

$55

$44.00

LinkPass

$90

$72.00

Express Bus

$136

$108.80

Commuter Rail, Zone 1A

$90

$72.00

Commuter Rail, Zone 1

$214

$171.20

Commuter Rail, Zone 2

$232

$185.60

Commuter Rail, Zone 3

$261

$208.80

Commuter Rail, Zone 4

$281

$224.80

Commuter Rail, Zone 5

$311

$248.80

Commuter Rail, Zone 6

$340

$272.00

Commuter Rail, Zone 7

$360

$288.00

Commuter Rail, Zone 8

$388

$316.00

Commuter Rail, Zone 9

$406

$334.00

Commuter Rail, Zone 10

$426

$354.00

Ferry

$329

$263.20

Choosing an MBTA Pass

Not sure which pass you need? Start with the option that matches how you usually travel.

  • Bus Pass: Suggested local bus service only.
  • LinkPass: Suggested for subway and local bus network.
  • Commuter Rail Pass: Suggested for commuting outside of the subway system.
  • Express Bus Pass or Ferry Pass: choose these only if your regular commute depends on those services.

Explore MBTA Options

Delivery, Replacements & Support

How passes are delivered

  • Link and Bus passes are loaded onto a Charliecard that reloads monthly.
  • Commuter Rail, Ferry, and Express Bus passes are mailed via USPS First-Class Mail to the mailing address on file with Human Resources.
  • Passes are mailed on or around the 24th of the previous month and should arrive before the 1st of the active benefit month.
  • Do not use a newly issued Charliecard before the first day of the benefit month, as this may trigger an additional charge at the regular non-subsidized rate.

If your Commuter Rail, Ferry, or Express Bus pass does not arrive, is lost, or is damaged

  • If your pass does not arrive, contact Human Resources by email no later than the 10th of the active benefit month.
  • Replacement eligibility for these pass types is limited.
  • Lost, damaged, or stolen passes may not be replaceable depending on pass type and program rules.
  • The university is not responsible for passes delivered to outdated or incorrect mailing addresses.
  • Refunds are not available for undelivered passes.

Address updates and important notes

  • Employees are responsible for keeping their mailing address current in the Human Resources system.
  • Payroll deductions are recurring.
  • IRS pre-tax limits apply and may change.
  • Unused passes are non-refundable after the monthly cutoff.
  • MBTA fares and services may change.

Public Transit Resources