Campus unions rallied for cheaper and more accessible transportation on campus in the Integrated Science Complex atrium April 15.
The rally is a response from a coalition formed by the unions on campus and UMass Boston’s chapter of the Young Democratic Socialists of America. The coalition includes the Professional Staff Union, Classified Staff Union, Faculty Staff Union and the Department Chair Union, as well as the Graduate Employee Organization. The coalition rejects the administration’s plan to increase the rates of parking on campus to eighteen dollars a day and are advocating for higher MBTA subsidies for all students, faculty and staff.
Starting July 1, the university will offer a 25% MBTA subsidy to employees following an agreement with the administration and staff unions on campus. A fixed amount of MBTA subsidies is also available to undergraduate students, but part of the unions’ demand is that there are equal subsidies for both students and staff available at fifty percent.
Commuter student Cole Martinez expressed disappointment with the administration’s plans. “It’s ridiculous that the campus is increasing parking right after a major campus devastation with the dorms; their priorities have and will always be money,” Martinez said.
“I think it would be amazing, having access to a Charlie card gives me so much freedom to explore the city at my pace but also not worry about work or classes. I think Boston could be more accessible if a higher subsidy was offered,” Martinez said.
The co-chair of the Young Democratic Socialists of America, Ben Arcalas, who has been a member since April 2025, is also a commuter student who utilizes the MBTA subsidy to get to classes. Caracas said the subsidy offered by UMass Boston is a “repackaging of the student subsidies already offered by the Transport Association” and the subsidy is paid for “using the tuition of all students regardless of whether or not you actually purchase a pass.”
The MBTA section of umb.edu confirms this. “A $20 nonrefundable fee on undergraduate term bills provides discounts for eligible undergraduate students,” the page says.
“This is a commuter campus. It’s also an incredibly beautiful campus but it’s squandered by inaccessibility. We could have a vibrant social and political life on campus, but because people are forced to squeeze their classes into two or three days a week and then book it off campus as soon as they can, they’re not able to really participate in a broader community.”
The 25% subsidy is a part of UMass Boston’s implementing of new updates in transportation in an effort to make commuting to campus more accessible and eco-friendly.
In addition to trying to make access to public transportation easier, the university is taking initiatives to make biking to campus easier. UMass Boston has collaborated with Project 529, on online bike registry service, so students and staff can register their bikes and report them stolen if necessary. There have also been initiatives to get subsidized Bluebikes membership for students and staff, with a discount currently in place. New charging stations for scooters and e-bikes are also now available in the West Garage Bike Room.
A petition circulated on campus opposes the parking fee increase and calls for an agreement with administration that “advances equity, sustainability, and affordability.” The petition is set to be delivered to the administration on April 30.
Said Arcalas, “If our administration considers climate change or green policies as a priority then we should be trying to get more people to take the T, and what better way to do that than larger subsidies.”
