The MBTA commuter rail will offer a series of summer discounts for as the state braces for a season of major events and tourism.
“A lot of people are going to need to get around, and we thought this would be a really good time to reward the ridership by making transportation more affordable,” said Gov. Maura Healey in an announcement at North Station on Monday.
From June through August, commuter rail service will be free for riders on Fridays.
Additionally, the cost of monthly commuter rail passes will be cut in half over those three months, and monthly pass holders will be allowed to bring an additional rider with them for $1 on weekends.
State officials said monthly pass holders will save between $321 and $639 over the summer, depending on their route.
MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng said commuter rail riders have helped the T achieve the “strongest return to ridership across the nation.”
“This is just a way to say thank you, and to encourage more and more people to keep using the transit system,” said Eng. “We want to keep up the momentum for this summer.”
The discounts won’t apply to World Cup matches in June or July or other special events in Foxborough. CapeFLYER service from Boston to Cape Cod also won’t be discounted.
Healey said the goal is to give people a break from high costs, especially while gas prices are high.
“It’s about making it easier for people and it’s about making it possible for more people to use the T and public transportation and the commuter rail to take to events happening this summer.”
Several events, including the FIFA World Cup, Tall Ships and celebrations for the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution, are expected to draw millions of people to Massachusetts this summer.
To accommodate the surge in ridership during the World Cup games, the MBTA will also temporarily adjust commuter rail schedules in June and July. On match days, this will include running 14 trains to Boston Stadium, with capacity for up to 20,000 passengers.
Eng said the MBTA plans to release event passes for World Cup attendees that can be used by riders all day for any commuter rail line.
While the pricing for these event passes is still being finalized, Eng said “it will be more than our normal pricing.”
