THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, January 21, 2022 Page 11 MBTA Launches New Online Youth Pass Application The new secure online application makes it fast, simple, and easy to apply for the Youth Pass Program online, and is available in English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Portuguese. Online applications to be expanded to the MBTA’s other free and reduced fare programs in 2022. B OSTON – The MBTA announced this week the launch of the new digital Youth Pass application available online at mbta.com/youthpass/ apply. “Providing young adults with more convenient access to this secure, easy-to-use application is another step in providing broader access to the MBTA’s system through the Youth Pass’s discounted fares and monthly passes,” said MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak. “We continue to be excited to expand the reach of the Youth Pass through our municipal and community partnerships, and we’re proud to see the official launch of this online application, which we aim to expand to other reduced fare programs in 2022.” “With our industry-leading design and research process, we are able to deliver improvements like this to riders faster than ever – all while ensuring the tools we build are secure and accessible to everyone,” said MBTA Chief Digital Officer David Gerstle. “Truly a collaborative effort,” said City of Boston Department of Youth Engagement & Employment leadership. “As the largest Youth Pass municipal partner/administrator, we believe the development of the new MBTA online application could not have come at a more critical time for Boston’s eligible youth and young adult population. This new application allows us to streamline the Youth Pass application process and enhance our partnership with the MBTA to ensure we’re expanding our reach and always improving systems, processes and services for young people across the City of Boston to access this important resource.” The Youth Pass is a card that can be used by eligible young adults with low incomes to purchase roughly 50% 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, Maldonians named to Bucknell University Dean's List L EWISBURG, Pa. - Malden residents Jay KC, Keri Gilligan and Pedro Carneiro Passos were named to the Dean’s List at Bucknell University for the fall 2021 semester. Students must earn a grade point average of 3.5 or higher to receive Dean's List recognition. Jane Harrington named to Dean's List at St. Anselm College M ANCHESTER, N.H. - Jane Harrington of Malden was named to the Dean’s List at Saint Anselm College for the 2021 fall semester. To be eligible for this honor, a student must achieve a grade point average of 3.4 or higher. and ferry. Previously, young adults were required to complete the application process in-person at the location of their local Youth Pass office, including bringing their eligibility documents and submitting a paper application form. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the MBTA prioritized and accelerated the creation and implementation of the online application process. Applicants can now apply to the program remotely and easily online from their home computer or mobile device without having to visit their local Youth Pass office in-person. Young adults residing in any participating municipalities can now simply visit mbta.com/youthpass/apply to complete the online application, which is available in English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Portuguese. Applicants can use the online application to upload their eligibility documents and select to have their Youth Pass card mailed or picked up from their local Youth Pass office, if approved. In collaboration with the MBTA’s Commercial Strategies and Programs team, the MBTA’s Customer Technology Department accelerated the development of the online application, accomplishing the project’s design, user testing, and launch through the use of SimpliGov’s no-code, cloudbased platform. “SimpliGov is proud to partner with MBTA to create a user-friendly customer experience and seamless online application process available to nearly 20 municipalities participating in this critical program for the community,” said SimpliGov CEO Gary Leiken. “This is the first of many processes we will be automating with MBTA to help serve local young adults eligible for free and reduced-fare transportation programs in Massachusetts, which is an incredibly important community mission and citizen service.” Based on findings from multiple rounds of user tests with Youth Pass administrators and riders, and three pilot online applications, the Customer Technology team tailored the Youth Pass application for simplicity, ease of use, and security. The MBTA devised a single, streamlined process in the SimpliGov platform that allows Youth Pass administrators in participating municipalities to process, verify, and deliver Youth Pass CharlieCards within five business days with minimal error. The MBTA also anticipates launching similar online applications to the other free and reduced fare programs within the coming months. The MBTA’s growing list of municipalities and community partners participating in the Youth Pass program includes Arlington, Attleboro, Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Framingham, Lexington, Malden, Medford, Melrose, the North Shore, Quincy, Revere, Somerville, Wakefield, Watertown, and Worcester. Cities or towns interested in joining the program are encouraged to email youthpass@mbta.com for information on how to begin the process. For more information, visit mbta.com/youthpass-eligibility, or connect with the T on Twitter @MBTA, Facebook /TheMBTA, or Instagram @theMBTA. Annual Winter Walk scheduled for Feb. 13 at Copley Plaza T he annual Winter Walk, which raises awareness and funds toward ending homelessness in Greater Boston, is set to take place on Sunday, February 13. All participants will start at Copley Plaza at 8:30 a.m. for the check-in followed by a 9 a.m. start. The two-mile walk begins and ends at Copley Plaza. Participants, housed and homeless, will walk together shoulder to shoulder and hear real stories of Boston’s homeless population. The walk is co-chaired by Jessie and Enrique Colbert of Wayfair and Katie and David Beeston of the Boston Red Sox. During the past five years, the Winter Walk has raised more than $2 million, all of which has gone to Winter Walk partner organizations providing direct service and programs to Boston’s homeless community. All participants are encouraged to donate or help raise funds with a registration fee of $100 for adults and $50 for youths and students. Registration for this event provides the opportunity to walk, a warm Winter Walk hat, breakfast, live music, a backpack loaded with information and offers from local organizations, and an opportunity to learn and share together. This year, the Winter Walk supports 10 partner organizations: Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, Boston Medical Center, Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Brookview House, Common Cathedral, FamilyAid Boston, New England Home and Center for Veterans, Pine Street Inn, St. Francis House and Y2Y Harvard Square along with others who together in solidarity support awareness around the issues surrounding homelessness. The Winter Walk encourages local businesses, clubs, religious groups, families, friends and surrounding communities to create a team to walk. The event is family and dog friendly (dogs can even register and receive a special doggie goodie bag and a fundraising page of their own).
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