MELROSE – The MBTA and the City of Melrose recently announced that Melrose has joined the T’s Youth Pass program, which helps provide affordable transit access for young people with low-income.

“We’re pleased that Melrose has joined our Youth Pass program and partnered with us to offer the Youth Pass to eligible young people,” said MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak. “We continue to be pleased to offer the Youth Pass program’s benefits to so many. The Youth Pass provides essential transit services to young people and increases access to job and education opportunities.”

“I’m delighted that Melrose residents now have access to this program,” said City of Melrose Mayor Paul Brodeur. “Affordable transportation is absolutely vital to educational advancement and job training, and the Youth Pass program will help lower this barrier for young people who are working hard to better themselves in a challenging economy.”

The Youth Pass is a card that can be used by eligible young adults with low incomes to purchase roughly 50 percent reduced one-way fares or $30 monthly LinkPasses for the bus, subway, and Fairmount Line Zone 1A stations at MBTA Fare Vending Machines, the CharlieCard Store, fare boxes on buses and trolleys at street-level stops, or at retail sales locations. Youth Pass cards can also be used to purchase half-price one-way fares for Commuter Rail, Express Bus and ferry.

Young people residing in Melrose who are interested in applying to the reduced fare Youth Pass program should complete the MBTA’s Youth Pass online application. Approved applicants will receive their cards in the mail or can pick their card up at the Milano Senior Center located at 201 W. Foster Street, Melrose.

In order to qualify for the Youth Pass, a young person must live in a participating city or town and either:

• Be between 12 and 17 years old and not enrolled in middle or high school (students enrolled in middle or high school may receive a Student CharlieCard through their school);

• Be between 18 and 25 years old and enrolled in at least one of the following Youth Pass partner programs (college and university students may be eligible for Semester Passes):

Alternative education program (e.g., high school equivalency degree programs);Job training or professional development program (e.g., Year Up, Roca);State or federal benefit program (e.g., MassHealth, SNAP, fuel assistance).The MBTA is excited for the City of Melrose to join the growing list of municipalities and community partners participating in the Youth Pass program. Other participating communities include Arlington, Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Lexington, Malden, Medford, the North Shore, Quincy, Revere, Somerville, Wakefield and Watertown. Cities or towns interested in joining the program are encouraged to email youthpass@mbta.com for information on how to begin the process.

For full information regarding the Youth Pass, visit mbta.com/youthpass-eligibility, or connect with the T on Twitter @MBTA, Facebook /TheMBTA, or Instagram @theMBTA.