Group wants MBTA to create ‘youth pass’

BOSTON. A local youth group is calling on the MBTA to implement a new “youth pass” for younger riders, arguing the T’s current school pass isn’t accessible enough and ends too early at night.

The campaign is being organized by the Boston-area Youth Organizing Project. The MBTA currently offers a student pass for $20 a month that is provided at participating middle and high schools and allows for unlimited bus and subway trips up until 8 p.m. on school days.

But BYOP is requesting the T offer an additional “youth pass” for everyone aged 12 to 21 that would be available at CharlieCard machines, cost $10 a month ($12.50 for July and August) and include trips until 11 p.m. and on Saturdays.

The students say many younger people use the T on the weekends to get to jobs and practices for sports. They also said the current student passes have to pre-ordered at school and can sometimes be tricky to obtain.

“This would benefit youths because it would make transportation more affordable,” said Louisa Irele, an 18-year-old senior at Cambridge Rindge & Latin School.

Irele is one of the students that will present the group’s case to the T at its board meeting this afternoon. The group also held rallies outside the State House and Transportation Building yesterday afternoon trying to bring attention to the cause.

MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo said the T is looking forward to hearing the students’ presentation at the board meeting.