Amendment #58 to H3382

Youth Pilot Program

Mr. Walsh of Boston moves to amend the bill SECTION 5. By July 1, 2014, the Department of Transportation, in consultation with youth advocacy groups, transit advocacy groups, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, and Regional Transit Authorities, shall create and implement a 2 year long youth pass pilot program in the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority system and in the transit system of at least 3 Regional Transit Authorities in which persons between the ages of 12 and 21, inclusive, would be eligible to purchase a significantly discounted monthly local bus pass and combined monthly bus and subway pass from the applicable transit authority. Persons who are eligible for the U-Pass program shall not be eligible to participate in the youth pass program. The pilot shall include at least 2000 eligible persons participating. The purpose of the pilot would be to determine the costs of such program, rates of participation, the benefits to participating persons, and such other factors as the department, in consultation with youth advocacy groups, transit advocacy groups, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, and Regional Transit Authorities, determines are necessary to provide a recommendation of whether and how to implement such a program in the system of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and 1 or more Regional Transit Authorities. Within 1 year after the conclusion of the pilot program, the department shall file a report and recommendation with the governor, the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate, and the joint committee on transportation. The department shall publish a draft report, allow at least 30 days for written public comments on the draft report, and take the comments into consideration before filing its final report. The costs of the pilot program shall be borne by the department, which shall also reimburse the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and the participating Regional Transit Authorities for any reduction in fare revenue caused by the pilot.