MBTA announces summer commuter rail discounts ahead of busy season

The MBTA is discounting some fares for commuter rail riders this summer as the transit system prepares for a busy season, Gov. Maura Healey announced Monday.

The discounts will arrive as multiple national events come to the state and are expected to draw tourists to the transit system. The promotions, however, are mostly aimed at benefitting everyday riders.

Through June, July and August, the commuter rail will be free each Friday across all lines. Monthly commuter rail passes for Zones 1 though 10 and the ferries will be discounted 50%. Monthly pass holders will also be able to use their passes on the weekends, and bring an extra person along for the ride for $1, under what Healey called a "companion pass."

Zone 1A, which serves commuter rail stops in the Boston area and costs the same as subway fare, is excluded from the discounts. Also excluded: event trains to Gillette Stadium and CapeFlyer trains, which take passengers to Cape Cod.

Healey's office estimated that the promotions could could save monthly pass holders between $321 and $639 over the summer, depending on their route.

"There are so many big events, a lot of people are going to need to get around and we thought this would be a really good time to reward the ridership by making transportation more affordable," Healey said at a North Station press conference announcing the summer promotions.

Tourists are expected to flood into Massachusetts this summer as the World Cup, Tall Ships, and events commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States all come to the state.

The MBTA is preparing service changes on the commuter rail during World Cup, as the agency has committed to transporting 20,000 fans to each of the seven soccer matches at Gillette Stadium in June and July. The commuter rail will run 14 trains to the stadium per match. MBTA Chief Operating Officer Ryan Coholan told WBUR last week that World Cup service would cause disruptions to regular commuter rail schedules "simply to free up the equipment” needed to run 14 trains to Gillette.

MBTA General Manager and Interim Transportation Secretary Phil Eng said at the press conference that the discounts are meant to serve as a show of appreciation to riders while service amid service changes.

"We also want to thank riders in advance for their patience as we continue to improve our tracks and deliver historical levels of service for this summer and during the World Cup," Eng said.

When asked by reporters, Eng also confirmed that event train tickets for World Cup matches would cost “ more than our normal, regular train pass,” but that the agency had not finalized the price.

His comments came after The Athletic reported Thursday that World Cup event train tickets would cost $75 each. Event train tickets usually cost about $20. Eng said the cost of the ticket will be announced in early April.

Eng also said that the passes will allow passengers to ride the commuter rail beyond the trip to and from the stadium.

“What we want to be able to do is to say this event pass is an all day commuter rail, all system pass, meaning you not only get round trip to the game, you get the whole day to use the commuter rail, no matter where you want to stay in the commonwealth,” he said.