Brookline residents age 75 and older who hold a Massachusetts ID card instead of a driver's license will soon be able to ride the MBTA for free under a new state pilot program announced Tuesday, July 28, by Gov. Maura Healey.

The Car-Free Seniors program, one of three new fare pilots Healey announced after greeting riders at the Belmont Commuter Rail station, will provide a free-fare credential covering bus, subway, ferry, and Commuter Rail. The MBTA is running the program in partnership with the Registry of Motor Vehicles. A specific start date has not been set; the agency said it will be announced this fall.

The program matters in a town where more than 13,000 residents are 60 and older, roughly 20% of Brookline's population, according to the Council on Aging's January 2026 newsletter. The town's Senior Center already helps residents obtain MBTA Senior CharlieCards, which provide a 50% discount on subway and bus fares, and runs the TRIPPS transportation counseling program. The new pilot goes further. Qualifying riders pay nothing.

In November 2025, Brookline resident Susan Granoff, 80, who lives near Coolidge Corner, told Brookline.News she had relied on the Green Line for medical appointments but found it limiting, especially in winter. "Knowing that the service exists and that you can simply pick up the phone and make a reservation is a huge mental relief," Granoff said at the time, speaking about the Senior Center's medical ride program. The new state pilot could offer another option for residents like her who have given up their licenses.

Two more pilots start September 1

Alongside the Car-Free Seniors program, two other pilots launch Tuesday, September 1, each running six months:

Expanded two-hour transfer window. Riders will pay only the highest fare incurred during a two-hour window across subway, bus, and ferry trips, with a practically unlimited number of transfers. They must use the same payment method between modes.

Express bus fare cut. Fares on seven express bus routes drop from $4.25 to $1.70, the standard local bus rate. A daily express bus commuter could save nearly $500 over the pilot period. The change does not apply to Silver Line routes SL1, SL2, SL3, and SLW.

"These new fare pilots and the extension of our commuter rail savings will put money back in people's pockets while giving more riders the flexibility they need to get to work, school and everywhere in between," Healey said at the announcement, according to a summary posted by Will Brownsberger.

Commuter Rail discounts extended

Healey also extended two Commuter Rail programs through November 2026: a 50% discount on monthly passes for September, October, and November, and a $1 Weekend Companion Fare that lets monthly pass holders bring one companion for $1 each way on weekends. The MBTA reported a roughly 50% jump in Friday Commuter Rail ridership in June compared to May under its summer promotions.

The Free Summer Fridays program will end as scheduled at the close of August.

What's next

Brookline residents who want to learn whether they qualify for the Car-Free Seniors credential can watch for the MBTA's fall announcement at mbta.com/FallFarePilots. The Senior Center's TRIPPS program (617-730-2750) can help with Senior CharlieCard applications in the meantime.

Upcoming community dates:

• Tuesday, September 1 — Two-hour transfer window and express bus fare pilots begin systemwide
• September–November — 50% off Commuter Rail monthly passes
• Fall 2026 (date TBA) — Car-Free Seniors pilot launches