Make the T Free

Coming to Harvard from the suburbs of South Dakota, there were a lot of new things I had to acclimate to. One of the largest adjustments? Public transportation, and the cost that comes with it.

On the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority, a singular subway or bus ride generally costs $2.40. While that price may seem small for a one-off fee, over time it adds up, piling on another expense to the thousands of dollars students already pay to attend Harvard.

As it stands, students have little incentive to stray from our comfortable campus. But by subsidizing transit passes for students, the University can encourage us to step outside the “Harvard Bubble” and connect with our community in Cambridge and Boston.

Everyone benefits when Harvard students take the T. It's time that the University helps us do so.

With a network of dining halls, gyms, libraries, and even our own cafes, Harvard students never really need to use public transportation. We can find everything we need right here on campus. Getting on the T can feel like a luxury — but it’s one we should take more advantage of.

In the midst of all the activity on campus — from a flurry of problem sets to protests — it can be refreshing to take a break from the chaos and decompress. As the weather gets warmer, taking a walk in the Boston Common, visiting one of Boston’s many museums, or taking time to engage in other fun, Harvard-free activities with friends can provide an important change of scenery. And this act doesn’t just benefit us — going out and spending money at local businesses helps the Boston community thrive.

The “Harvard bubble” often restricts students from getting in touch with the realities of our larger environment. Surrounded by peers who rep designer brands and complain about first world problems, like getting quadded or not liking the menu for dinner, it is easy to lose sight of what goes on beyond Harvard’s gates.

Going out into local communities and interacting with people who come from different backgrounds, life experiences, and socioeconomic realities doesn’t just allow us to realize how fortunate we are as Harvard students. More importantly, it also enables us to engage in these communities ourselves.

With free transportation, Harvard students could attend city council meetings in Boston or Cambridge, volunteer at non-profit organizations, or explore career building opportunities outside of campus without having to worry about the financial strain it might cause.

And sure, while many Harvard students are more than able to financially cover the cost of an MBTA ride every now and then, why would they when they can meet all their needs on campus?

Unfortunately, students often just stick to whatever is most convenient. But by providing a transit subsidy, Harvard could eliminate the inconvenience of public transportation, and encourage more students to take advantage of our mutually beneficial relationship with the city around us.

Of course, given the recent strain on funding, a new expense might not be the first idea coming to administrators’ minds right now. But over time, the benefits would prove to be immense for both Harvard students and the local community.

Even students at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School are all eligible for free MBTA passes. These passes allow students the ease of exploring the city without any financial hardship. And it’s time Harvard follows suit. Indeed, the city of Cambridge has an initiative to help eligible younger residents pay reduced fares on the MBTA — the University ought to help cover the cost for its students.

The benefits of free MBTA passes go far beyond letting students save a few dollars — they can help Harvard form a connection with the community in a way that better serves us all.

Siyanne A. Redda ’28, a Crimson Editorial editor, lives in Wigglesworth Hall.