Budget Amendment ID: FY2026-S3-835-R1

Redraft TRP 835

Southcoast Rail Student Fare Pilot

Mr. Montigny moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2, in item 7008-1116, by adding the following words:- “; provided further, that not less than $50,000 shall be expended for Bridgewater state university, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, for a reduced fare pilot program for student semester commuter rail passes along the South Coast rail corridor, also known as the Fall River/New Bedford line; provided further, that the pilot program shall be implemented for the 2025-2026 academic year and provide a reduced fare equal to 50 per cent of the standard fare for students enrolled at the university who reside within a municipality that abuts the South Coast rail corridor, including, but not limited to, the cities of New Bedford, Fall River and Taunton and the towns of Acushnet, Berkley, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Freetown, Lakeville, Mattapoisett, Middleborough, Rochester, Somerset and Westport; provided further, that the university shall prioritize student financial need in its distribution of reduced fare passes; provided further, that not later than June 30, 2026, the university shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing the total number of reduced fare student passes distributed for the program, delineated by city or town of residence and the total costs incurred to implement the program”; and by striking out the figure "$100,000" and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- "$150,000".