T extends hours of student passes

By Noah Bierman, Globe Staff

The MBTA, at the urging of student activists, has extended the hours when junior high and high school students can use their discount passes on trains and buses -- to 11 p.m. on weekdays.

The passes were previously valid until 8 p.m. Students involved in the “Youth Way on the MBTA” argued that some students’ extracurricular activities and jobs keep them out later. They appealed to transportation secretary James A. Aloisi, who chairs the T board, and he agreed to the change, effective Sept. 1.

The MBTA also made a change in how the $20 monthly passes are distributed, according to Colin Durrant, Aloisi’s spokesman. In the past, students had to buy tickets once a month from school administrators. Now, they can be updated automatically on electronic Charlie Cards, Durrant said.

Members of the Youth Way campaign said in a press release that they are continuing to work with Aloisi on other issues, including their goal of creating a special pass for all youth aged 12 to 21, regardless of whether they attend school.