Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, in collaboration with Bridgewater State University, shall implement a reduced fare pilot program for student semester commuter rail passes along the South Coast Rail corridor.  The pilot program shall provide a reduced fare equal to 50 per cent of the standard fare for students enrolled at said university who reside within a municipality along the South Coast Rail corridor, including but not limited to, the cities of New Bedford, Fall River, Taunton, and the towns of Acushnet, Berkley, Bridgewater, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Freetown, Lakeville, Mattapoisett, Middleborough, Rochester, and Somerset.  Bridgewater State University shall distribute said passes and prioritize allocation based upon student financial need.  The authority shall implement the reduced fare pilot program for the 2025-2026 academic year and submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing the total number of reduced student passes distributed, number of passes distributed delineated by the city or town of residence, and the total cost incurred to implement the program.  Said report shall be submitted no later than September 1, 2026.