Amendment #65 to H3382

Universal University Pass Program

Representatives Collins of Boston and Garballey of Arlington moves to amend the bill by inserting the following section at the end thereof:-

SECTION XX. (a) The department shall develop a mandatory Universal University Pass Program (U-Pass) beginning in fiscal year 2015 for colleges and universities throughout the commonwealth, with the purpose of providing unlimited rides on the transportation systems of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and the Regional Transit Authorities (RTA) to all full-time undergraduate and graduate students at the colleges and universities that are located within 1 mile of MBTA or RTA service. The U-Pass program shall contain all the terms of participation by the schools, the obligations of the department, MBTA, and RTAs under the program, and such other terms as necessary.

The U-Pass fare for the first fiscal year of the program shall be no less than 65% of the full fare, per student per semester. The department may increase the fare in later years. All colleges and universities that are located within 1 mile of service provided by the MBTA or a RTA are required to participate in the program and pay the applicable U-Pass fare for each full-time undergraduate and graduate student at the school directly to the applicable RTA or MBTA. The department may authorize alternative arrangements under unusual circumstances and may allow for the continuation of contracts that provide unlimited rides for students.

(b) The department shall develop a voluntary Universal Employer Pass Program (E-Pass) beginning in fiscal year 2015 for large employers throughout the commonwealth, with the intended purpose of providing unlimited rides on the transportation systems of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and the Regional Transit Authorities (RTA) to all employees of participating large employers. The MBTA or RTA shall make the program available to all large employers that are located within 1 mile of MBTA or RTA service.  The E-Pass agreements shall contain all the terms of participation by employers, the obligations of the department, MBTA, and RTAs under the program, and such other terms as necessary. The department shall establish a goal that at least 50 per cent of large employers in the commonwealth have an E-Pass program in place within five years of the establishment of the voluntary program. For purposes of this section, “large employer” shall mean employers that employ at least 50 employees in the commonwealth.

The E-Pass fare shall be negotiated by the department with each participating employer and shall be set at a level to assure that no transit authority has a reduction in fare revenue as a result of the program. Employers within one mile of service provided by the MBTA or a RTA that participate would be required to pay the applicable E-Pass fare for each employee directly to the applicable RTA or MBTA. The department may authorize alternative arrangements under unusual circumstances.

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #65 to H3382

Universal University Pass Program