MBTA Extends $10 Weekend Fare Special Through December

MBTA commuter rail riders can take advantage of $10 unlimited weekend rides through December. (File photograph)

The Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority is helping riders keep more money in their pockets this fall with the extension of the popular pilot program that offers $10 Commuter Rail fares for unlimited travel each Saturday and Sunday.

On all lines including Haverhill, the special is valid from the first scheduled Saturday trip until the last ride on Sunday, the MBTA said. The special discounted fare is available for purchase onboard trains, using the mTicket app or at ticket windows at North, South and Back Bay Stations.

Riders age 12 and over are eligible for the discounted rate. Up to two children under 12 may ride free with each paying adult.

During the first phase of the program this summer, the MBTA saw steady growth in weekend trips, with 3,470 passes sold during the first weekend of June 9-10, and over 8,100 passes issued during the most traveled weekend of July 28-29, officials said.

Earlier this summer, Keolis Commuter Services, the company that operates the MBTA rail network, confirmed the system-wide rollout of smartphone apps and handheld devices to process credit and debit card transactions. The complete implementation is expected to wrap up this fall.