Transportation
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Boston Public Schools has partnered with Zūm to provide a new and improved platform for parents/guardians to track their student’s school bus. Download the Zūm App to view your student's school bus assignment, track rides in real time and receive alerts when the school bus is arriving, receive alerts in case of delays, and much more.
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Tpass Eligibility
Depending on your child's grade and school, they may need to meet specific requirements to qualify for an M7. To find out if you're eligible click on your school group below.
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Public/Private/Charter School Students
6th Grade
6th graders do not automatically get M7 passes. If they qualify for a yellow bus based on our eligibility requirements, 6th graders have the option of opting in to receive an M7 pass instead. This can be done by submitting a "Request an MBTA 6th Grade Opt-In" ticket on our Support Portal. If your child is ineligible for a yellow bus, you have the option to purchase a monthly student pass (discounted at $30 per month) from any charlie card store location.
7-12th Grade
Transportation service for all students in grades 7-12 will be by MBTA trains and buses, with the exception of those students who receive specialized transportation services in accordance with their Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan. Students in grades 7-12 with IEP or 504 plans are also eligible for MBTA passes in addition to any transportation assigned in the student's IEP or 504 plan.
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Out of District Students
Proving Eligibility
Students must prove eligibility for their M7 by establishing Boston residency and that they are currently in grades 7-12 at a school in Massachusetts.
- Students can use the same documents outlined by Welcome Services to prove Boston residency for attendance at a Boston Public School and confirm that they expect to live in Boston until the end of the school year.
- We then need to confirm that they are currently in grades 7-12 and expect to be a student in those grades until the end of the school year (June). Possible documents could include:
- A letter from their school on official school letterhead;
- A transcript;
- An official class schedule specifying a student’s grade;
- A student ID stating a student’s grade.
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Picking up Passes
Please click on your group below and follow the instructions on how to pick up your Tpass(es).
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Public/Private/Charter/METCO Students
If your child is eligible, please contact your child's school to pick up your M7 Tpass. School staff is responsible for distributing Tpasses.
If your pass is lost/stolen, please contact your child's school for a replacement.
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Out of District Students
To request an M7 for your child, please submit a Tpass Request in our Support Portal.
If you are unsure of how to complete this form, please follow this tutorial.
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School Staff Members
To order additional M7 MBTA passes for your school, please submit an order request through our Support Portal.
If you are unsure of how to complete this form, please follow this tutorial.
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SY24-25 Supplemental MBTA Bus Schedule
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Tpass FAQ
For more information, take a look at some of our frequently asked questions below.
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What is an M7?
An M7 is a free Tpass that is active 24/7 throughout the school year and summer.
M7s can be used at any time during the day for transportation on the MBTA and on select Commuter Rail trips within Boston.
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What lines can I use my M7 pass on?
M7 Passes are good for unlimited travel on the subway, Local or Express buses, and Commuter Rail Zones 1A, 1, and 2.
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What should I do if I lose my pass?
If your M7 is lost/stolen, please report this to your school. School staff will deactivate your old pass, and issue you a new one.
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How long will my pass work for?
Your pass will work through the end of August. Assuming you still live in Boston and are in grades 7-12, you can receive a new pass at the start of the next school year in September. If you attend an out-of-district school, you will be asked to provide evidence of eligibility in order to obtain your new pass.
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What if I have additional questions?
Please visit the MBTA website or contact schoolbus@bostonpublicschools.org for any additional questions.
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Summer MBTA Passes
Students currently in grades 7-12 who are eligible for an M7 pass from BPS during the school year will also be able to use their M7 pass during the summer months. SY22/23 M7 MBTA passes are valid through the end of August, meaning that students’ existing M7 MBTA passes will continue to work throughout the summer until August 31st. Note that on August 31, all M7 passes will expire.
If a student misplaces a pass during the summer months and needs a replacement pass, the student must have a parent or guardian call the Transportation Department at 617-635-9520 and make an appointment to pick up a replacement pass while supplies last. Parents must bring a valid ID in order to sign out a replacement M7 pass for a student
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Can't find what you are looking for? Contact us at 617-635-9520, through our Support Portal, or by email at schoolbus@bostonpublicschools.org