Employee MBTA Benefits
50% subsidized monthly T passes with the MBTA Pass Benefit
Boston University will cover half the cost of monthly MBTA passes ordered through BU by regular faculty and staff.
What kind of pass should I get?
The most popular type of pass is called a LinkPass (unlimited trips on local bus and subway) but the MBTA offers many types of passes.
Use the MBTA Trip Planner to determine which MBTA lines you’ll need to access on your commute.
To find your Commuter Rail Zone, consult the MBTA Commuter Rail Zone Map.
Click chart below to enlarge:
*including Silver Line
Monthly Pass Price List
| Pass Type | Regular MBTA monthly pass price | Monthly cost to employee after 50% subisidy | Bi-monthly pre-tax payroll deduction | Bi-monthly after-tax payroll deduction |
| Local Bus | $55.00 | $27.50 | $13.75 | |
| MOST POPULAR OPTION: LinkPass (Subway and Local Bus) | $90.00 | $45.00 | $22.50 | |
| Senior (65+) LinkPass | $30.00 | $15.00 | $7.50 | |
| Express Bus | $136.00 | $68.00 | $34.00 | |
| Zone 1A | $90.00 | $45.00 | $22.50 | |
| Zone 1 | $214.00 | $107.00 | $53.50 | |
| Zone 2 | $232.00 | $116.00 | $58.00 | |
| Zone 3 | $261.00 | $130.50 | $65.25 | |
| Zone 4 | $281.00 | $140.50 | $70.25 | |
| Zone 5 | $311.00 | $155.50 | $77.75 | |
| Zone 6 | $340.00 | $170.00 | $77.50 | $7.50 |
| Zone 7 | $360.00 | $180.00 | $72.50 | $17.50 |
| Zone 8 | $388.00 | $194.00 | $65.50 | $31.50 |
| Zone 9 | $406.00 | $203.00 | $61.00 | $40.50 |
| Zone 10 | $426.00 | $213.00 | $56.00 | $50.50 |
| Boat Pass | $329.00 | $164.50 | $80.25 | $2.00 |
Remaining costs will be paid through pre-tax payroll deduction up to a combined total of $325; any amount above that will be deducted after tax.
Note: Commuter Rail and Boat passes are also valid on MBTA local bus and subway lines.
Monthly Pass Price List for Seniors (65+)
| Pass Type | Regular MBTA Monthly Pass Price | 65+ Reduced Fare Rate | 65+ Reduced Fare Rate with BU Subsidy | Total monthly savings |
| LinkPass (Subway & Local Bus) | $90.00 | $30.00 | $15.00 | $75.00 |
| Express Bus | $136.00 | $67.00 | $33.50 | $102.50 |
| Zone 1A | $90.00 | $30.00 | $15.00 | $75.00 |
| Zone 1 | $214.00 | $107.00 | $53.50 | $160.50 |
| Zone 2 | $232.00 | $116.00 | $58.00 | $174.00 |
| Zone 3 | $261.00 | $130.00 | $65.00 | $196.00 |
| Zone 4 | $281.00 | $136.00 | $68.00 | $213.00 |
| Zone 5 | $311.00 | $152.00 | $76.00 | $235.00 |
| Zone 6 | $340.00 | $170.00 | $85.00 | $255.00 |
| Zone 7 | $360.00 | $180.00 | $90.00 | $270.00 |
| Zone 8 | $388.00 | $190.00 | $95.00 | $293.00 |
| Zone 9 | $406.00 | $199.00 | $99.50 | $306.50 |
| Zone 10 | $426.00 | $209.00 | $104.50 | $321.50 |
| Boat Pass | $329.00 | $164.00 | $82.00 | $247.00 |
Note: Commuter Rail and Boat passes are also valid on MBTA local bus and subway lines.
Am I eligible?
How do I enroll?
Follow these steps to enroll in and manage your Employee MBTA Pass Benefit:
-
- Log in to BUworks
- Select the Employee Self Service tab (top left)
- Select Campus Services (bottom right)
- Click Apply/Manage MBTA Pass Benefit from the appropriate campus services section
How do I get the pass?
- MBTA Passes are mailed via USPS First-Class Mail to the home mailing address you have provided Boston University.
- Employees with Bus, Express Bus, and Link Passes will be mailed one pass that will function month-after-month.
- Employees with Commuter Rail, Senior, and Ferry Passes will be mailed a new pass each month. These passes cannot be replaced if lost or stolen.
- To verify or change your home mailing address, please follow these instructions.
- Passes are mailed on or around the 24th of the previous month and should be delivered before the 1st of the month for which they are active.
Note to All New MBTA Pass Holders: Do NOT use your Charlie Card before the first day of the benefit month. Otherwise Doing so will cause an additional month to be charged to you at the regular (non-subsidized) rate.
Employee MBTA Pass Replacement Policy
If a Link, Bus, or Express Bus Pass does not arrive
- If your Link (Bus + Subway), Bus, or Express Bus Pass does not arrive in the mail before the 1st of the month (or is lost or stolen) please submit a Transportation Request Form.
- Replacement passes must be picked up in-person at your respective Parking & Transportation Services office – 1019 Commonwealth Avenue (CRC) or 710 Albany St (BUMC) – during business hours (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm).
- A replacement pass will be ready for pickup by 1pm on the business day following notification of non-delivery (via Transportation Request Form)
If a Commuter Rail, Senior, or Ferry pass does not arrive
- If your Commuter Rail, Senior, or Ferry pass does not arrive in the mail before the 1st of the month, BU will provide a one-time replacement per year at no charge.
- Employees have until the 10th of the month to report an undelivered pass via the Transportation Request Form.
- BU is not responsible for replacement of Commuter Rail, Senior, or Ferry passes that are lost by the employee or stolen.
- BU is not responsible for replacement of passes that are delivered to outdated or incorrect mailing addresses. Please verify and update your address.
- Passes can only be replaced with the type that was not delivered.
- Refunds cannot be issued for undelivered passes.
- Replacement passes must be picked up in-person at your respective Parking & Transportation Services office – 1019 Commonwealth Avenue (CRC) or 710 Albany St (BUMC) – during business hours (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm).
- Replacement passes will be ready for pickup by 1pm on the business day following notification of non-delivery (via Transportation Request Form)
50% subsidized parking at transit stations with the Transit Station Parking Benefit
Regular BU faculty and staff members who order a monthly MBTA pass through Boston University are eligible for the following benefit:
- Set aside pre-tax dollars from your paycheck to pay for your work-related parking costs at MBTA transit stations (up to $150 per month); AND
- BU will match your election dollar-for-dollar
Am I eligible to participate?
Enrollment is open to any regular employee enrolled in the Employee MBTA Pass Benefit (see Employee MBTA Pass Benefit eligibility requirements above).
How Do I Enroll?
Follow these steps to enroll in and manage your Transit Station Parking Benefit:
- Log in to BUworks
- Select the Employee Self Service tab (top left)
- Select Campus Services (bottom right)
- Click Apply/Manage Transit Station Parking Benefit from the appropriate campus services section
- Select the type of MBTA pass you wish to order if you have not done so already
- Calculate the cost of monthly parking at your chosen transit station (MBTA Parking Monthly Rates)
- Enter half that cost (your contribution) and BU will contribute the other half (up to $150)
The money you elect to be withheld pre-tax as well as a matching dollar amount from the University will be credited to an account in your name to be used to pay for your work-related parking expenses at MBTA transit stations.
Weekly paid employees will pay a prorated weekly amount during the first 4 weeks of every month.
You may change the amount of your contribution at any time.
How Do I Use Money in My Pre-Tax Transit Station Parking Account?
P&A Group administers the program and will provide you with a debit card that can be used to pay for your MBTA transit station parking expenses right at the point of service. When you incur a work-related parking expense at a transit station, simply swipe your Benefits Card at the point-of-service and the funds will automatically be deducted from your pre-tax parking account.
If you are enrolled in both the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for Health or Dependent Care and the Transit Station Parking Beneift, your contributions will be automatically added to the appropriate account for use with your current debit card as they are withheld from your pay.
Any unused balance remaining in your Transit Station Parking account at the end of the calendar year will roll over to the next year. This is not a use-it-or-lose-it account like the FSA
If you terminate employment with Boston University, the remaining balance in your Transit Station Parking account will be forfeited. You can continue to pay for parking expenses through the end of the month in which you terminate employment.
How to Register Online with P&A Group (optional)
You can register to set up an online account with P&A Group. Among other things, registering will allow you to submit you manual claims and use the website to check account balances and the status of claims.
- Go to the P&A Group website and select the tab for Employee Participants.
- At the bottom of the page, within “My Benefits Account Login”, click on “First time logging in? Sign up here”.
- When prompted to enter your Social Security Number, you should provide your University ID# instead. When prompted to enter your ZIP code, you should provide the ZIP code BU has on file for your home address.
- Follow the instructions to set up your account and your preferences.
Note: you may enroll in this benefit at any time but you will not be able to set up an online account with P&A Group or access funds until after your next payroll deduction is made.
Manual Parking Claims
If you are unable to use your Benefits Card for payment, choose from one of the three easy options below to receive reimbursement for your parking expenses.
- QuikClaim
Instantly submit claims and receipts directly from your smartphone. Log into your account at padmin.com from your mobile device by selecting Account Login and following the prompts on your screen.
- Electronic Claim Upload
Upload claims through P&A’s website by logging into your P&A account and selecting Upload a Claim under the Member Tools tab.
- Fax or Mail a Paper Claim
Claim forms are available when you log into your account at www.padmin.com. Complete a claim form and fax or mail it to P&A Group. FAX: (877) 855-7105 MAIL: P&A Group
17 Court St.
Suite 500
Buffalo, NY 14202
Reimbursement of Manual Parking Claims
Typically, you will be reimbursed 3-5 business days after P&A receives the claim as long as there are funds available in the account. You will be reimbursed by check, but you also have the option to sign-up for direct deposit reimbursement. Direct deposit is recommended; it provides faster reimbursement time, and the opportunity to go green and use less paper! To enroll in direct deposit, log into your P&A Account and select Direct Deposit under the Quick Links menu.
Customer Service for Manual Parking Claims
Call (800) 688-2611 to speak with a representative or use P&A Group’s online webchat at padmin.com (click the live chat button in the upper right hand corner). Customer service hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30AM to 10:00PM ET.