[Massachusetts-NFB] FYI FW: Updated Access in Motion Guide and Other Accessibility Updates from the MBTA

Fri Aug 21 14:00:15 UTC 2026

View this email in your browser (https://mailchi.mp/mbta/community-partners-survey-15691616?e=82714a6184)
Update your profile to receive our emails in plain text (https://mbta.us19.list-manage.com/profile?u=d69747d5fc9f30fa7321ea932&id=5929ae2e24&e=82714a6184&c=7c06079e84)
Dear Riders,

We hope this email finds you well. Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter, and for your support of accessible transportation.

Read on to learn more about:
* Updated Access in Motion Guides
* MBTA 2026 Fall Fare Pilots
* September RTAG Meeting with The RIDE
* Getting Involved with RTAG Working Groups

** Updated Access in Motion Guide Now Available
------------------------------------------------------------
Cover of the 2026 Access in Motion guide with text: "Access in Motion Your Guide to Accessible Travel on the MBTA" and the MBTA and Mass dept of transportation logos. The cover also features 3 photos of riders on the MBTA system.
Cover of the 2026 Access in Motion guide The MBTA’s Department of System-Wide Accessibility recently released an updated Access in Motion guide highlighting the MBTA’s accessible transportation resources. Inside, you’ll find information on:
* Riding our buses, subways, Commuter Rail, and ferries.
* Reduced fare options for older adults and riders with disabilities.
* Accessible trip planning tools and real-time service updates.
* The RIDE paratransit service and how to apply.
* Services offered through the MBTA Mobility Center, including free travel training.
* Ways to get involved in accessibility advocacy and provide feedback.

Access in Motion guides are available for digital download in multiple languages:
* English (https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2026-07/2026-07-15-swa-access-in-motion-brochure-english.pdf)
* Arabic | العربية (https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2026-07/2026-07-15-swa-access-in-motion-brochure-arabic.pdf)
* Braille | Call 617-222-3200 (tel:+1-617-222-3200) | 711 for TTY callers; VRS for ASL callers or submit a request online (https://www.mbta.com/customer-support)
* Cape Verdean Creole | Kriolu di Kabo Verdi (https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2026-07/2026-07-15-swa-access-in-motion-brochure-cape-verdean.pdf)
* Chinese (Simplified) | 汉语 (https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2026-07/2026-07-15-swa-access-in-motion-brochure-chinese.pdf)
* Haitian Creole | Kreyòl Ayisyen (https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2026-07/2026-07-15-swa-access-in-motion-brochure-haitian-creole.pdf)
* Portuguese | Português (https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2026-07/2026-07-15-swa-access-in-motion-brochure-portuguese.pdf)
* Russian | Русский (https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2026-07/2026-07-15-swa-access-in-motion-brochure-russian.pdf)
* Spanish | Español (https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2026-07/2026-07-15-swa-access-in-motion-brochure-spanish.pdf)
* Vietnamese | Tiếng Việt (https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2026-07/2026-07-15-swa-access-in-motion-brochure-vietnamese.pdf)

** Request a Print Copy
------------------------------------------------------------
Whether you work for an organization that would like to distribute these guides to your members or you simply would like a copy for yourself, we would be happy to mail you one, or several!
* Call Customer Support at 617-222-3200 (tel:+1-617-222-3200)  | 711 for TTY callers; VRS for ASL callers
* Submit a request online (https://www.mbta.com/customer-support) .

We hope you find this guide helpful and informative as you navigate your accessible journey with the MBTA.

** The MBTA's 2026 Fall Fare Pilots
------------------------------------------------------------
A Green Line C Branch trolley traveling beneath colorful fall foliage The MBTA is launching three new fare pilots (https://www.mbta.com/fares/2026-fall-fare-pilots) as part of a continued effort to make transit more affordable and easier to use. These new policies will go into effect in September 2026.

** "Unlimited" Two-hour Transfer Window
------------------------------------------------------------
* Riders can make "unlimited" transfers between bus, subway, and ferry within the two-hour transfer window and pay only the highest fare of any individual trip leg. Previously, riders could only make up to two transfers with further limitations.
* What to know: Riders must use the same form of payment between all modes for transfers to apply.

Learn more about transfers (https://www.mbta.com/fares/transfers) .

** Elimination of Express Bus Fares
------------------------------------------------------------
* Express bus fares (previously $4.25 full fare/$2.10 reduced fare) will now be the same as local bus fares ($1.70 full fare/$0.85 reduced fare), bringing the fares for all bus routes into alignment. Express bus passes will be eliminated.
* What to know: This pilot does not affect fares for any Silver Line routes.

See all bus fares (https://www.mbta.com/fares/bus-fares) .

**
Car-Free Seniors
------------------------------------------------------------
* Massachusetts residents who are 75+ and do not have a driver’s license will now be eligible for free travel across all MBTA bus, subway, Commuter Rail, and ferry services.
* This pilot, in partnership with the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), helps riders age 75+ maintain independence and access more travel options when they stop driving.
* What to know: The Car-Free Senior Program will be available to the public in Fall 2026. Riders will be able to apply for the program online using their Massachusetts ID.

We want your travel on the MBTA to be accessible, reliable, safe, and budget-friendly.

** September RTAG Meeting with The RIDE
------------------------------------------------------------
RTAG logo and The RIDE logo side-by-side RTAG logo and The RIDE logo side-by-side
When: September 23^rd from 2 P.M. – 4 P.M.
Where: Online via Zoom Register in advance (https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Isf6Q-hbRES4699oBs5yJQ)

**
Event Description
------------------------------------------------------------
The Riders Transportation Access Group (RTAG) (https://www.mbta.com/accessibility/get-involved/rtag)  is a customer organization that advises the MBTA on transportation issues affecting older adults and people of all ages who have disabilities. Membership in the group and group events are open to the general public.

Join RTAG in our bimonthly general meeting with a presentation from The RIDE. This virtual meeting is open to all members of the public interested in learning about accessibility updates at the T. RTAG staff will present on working group progress and RIDE staff will present on current projects.

There will be time for public comment.

This meeting will be held online on Zoom. After you register, you will receive a confirmation email with information about joining.

Sign up for the RTAG newsletter (https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/eepurl.com/hNhezH__;!!MEHzkw!1pv5MEYOarInqlEeu8rjWW-gMkT8hQJZJN1qbsm23JeG73Tp8E8dXvs49eCtfBv5d5PycAnxZks9lZOKtg$) .

** Accommodations
------------------------------------------------------------

RTAG meetings are accessible to people with disabilities and those with limited English proficiency. American Sign Language (ASL) and CART Captioning will be provided for this meeting. If you have any questions or would like to request another reasonable accommodation, please contact RTAG staff at rtagboston at bostoncil.org (mailto:rtagboston at bostoncil.org)  or call (617) 338-6665 (tel:6173386665)  to ask for RTAG.

Please reach out for accommodations at least two weeks before the meeting.

** Getting Involved with RTAG Working Groups
------------------------------------------------------------
In April 2026, RTAG created four focused working groups: three groups on bus and subway service and one on RIDE services.
1. RIDE Working Group
2. Wayfinding (Blind/Low Vision) Working Group 3. Community Outreach and Engagement Working Group 4. Municipal Coordination Working Group

Any member of the public can join with a one‑year commitment to participate in the working group’s projects.

There are three options to join a working group:
* Email RTAG staff rtagboston at bostoncil.org (mailto:rtagboston at bostoncil.org)
* Call (617) 338-6665 and ask for RTAG
* Fill out the Working Group Interest Form (https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/us6.list-manage.com/survey?u=2f9f11788e4b2a180bb4142df&id=e8b3a1438f&e=**A7CUNIQID*7C*__;KiUlKg!!MEHzkw!3xLoSNXVnJ0E_LfWYpMNpsuVFNUu5NZtfB5XR_6iOizzBS67CIXN8nZDiPZDMTwewtikA8C_1VQDyvzyJA$)

Safe and accessible travels,

The Department of System-Wide Accessibility Subscribe (https://mbta.us19.list-manage.com/subscribe?id=5929ae2e24&u=d69747d5fc9f30fa7321ea932)

** Find Out how the MBTA's Mobility Center Can Help You
------------------------------------------------------------

The MBTA's Mobility Center, located in Boston at 1000 Massachusetts Ave, is available to anyone looking to explore accessible transit options and other community transport resources. We also offer a variety of free travel training services (https://www.mbta.com/accessibility/travel-instruction-services-and-tools) to help older adults and people with disabilities travel independently on the bus, train, ferry, and Commuter Rail. Give us a call at 617-337-2727 (tel: 617-337-2727)  (711 for TTY callers; VRS for ASL callers) or visit mbta.com/MobilityCenter (https://mbta.com/mobilitycenter) to learn more.

** Send Us Your Feedback
------------------------------------------------------------

We want to hear from you! To share your concerns, questions, or positive experiences with us, please visit mbta.com/customer-support (http://www.mbta.com/customer-support) or call Customer Support at 617-222-3200 (711 for TTY callers; VRS for ASL callers).

** Learn More about Accessibility at the MBTA
------------------------------------------------------------

We have numerous efforts underway to improve accessibility at the MBTA. Visit mbta.com/accessibility (http://www.mbta.com/accessibility) to learn more.

** Get Involved with the Riders Transportation Access Group
------------------------------------------------------------

The Riders Transportation Access Group (RTAG) is a customer organization that advises the MBTA on issues of transportation and accessibility. Membership is open to the general public. To learn more, click the link below or attend an upcoming RTAG meeting. Learn more about RTAG (https://www.mbta.com/accessibility/get-involved/rtag) .

**
Check Service Alerts
------------------------------------------------------------

MBTA.com/alerts (http://www.mbta.com/alerts/) has information about current, ongoing and future service disruptions including bus stop closures (https://www.mbta.com/alerts/bus) and detours.

============================================================