Getting
Around Town on the 'T'
 Whether
you have just moved to Boston or you are
just visiting, you will benefit from some
insider tips about the MBTA
(Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority)
system, commonly known as "the
T." Although it is the system riders
love to hate, the T is a remarkably
coordinated effort, considering the
millions of passengers it moves every
day. Visit the T online at mbta.com,
or call 617-722-3200 for automated route,
fare and schedule information.
The T has several systems
within a system: the subway, which runs
on tracks and is powered by electricity
overhead or by a "live" third
rail; the trackless trolleys, which are
electric buses running on overhead wires;
the diesel bus system; the commuter
trains, on standard intercity tracks with
diesel engines; and the commuter boats
(after all, this is a port city!). The
entire system runs as a hub-and spoke
system; it's relatively easy to get from
the center to suburban points, or vice
versa, but difficult to get from one
suburban point to another.
The Subway
The subway is the oldest, the most
interesting and the quirkiest part of the
T system. An integral part of downtown
Boston, it runs on four different lines
which have been color-coded for ease of
use. Each line has inbound and outbound
directions, which do not correspond with
the compass directions and which change
as you pass through the line's center
point. Confusing matters further, not all
lines connect at a central hub. The Red
and Green lines connect at Park St., for
example, while the Orange and Blue lines
connect at State Street. The Blue and Red
lines never meet.
The Green Line splits off
into four branches in the westbound
direction, so be sure you are on the
right train when you are heading that
way. The 'B' branch goes to Boston
College via Commonwealth Avenue; the 'C'
branch goes to Cleveland Circle via
Beacon Street; the 'D' branch goes to
Riverside where it meets Route 128 and
the commuter rail; and the 'E' branch
goes to Forest Hills via Huntington
Avenue. Past the Kenmore Square stop,
these trains run above ground, on a
special right-of-way in the middle of the
street. They stop every few blocks --
just ring the bell on the cord along the
outside wall to signal the driver that
you want to get off.
The subway has the most
frequent service, with trains arriving
every few minutes during rush hour. The
subway also runs the most hours per day,
from 5 AM to 12:30 AM.
Work on Boston's subway began in the
1890s, making it the oldest rapid transit
system in the U.S. As you travel
underground, you can occasionally glimpse
abandoned tunnels leading away from the
main line. See these from the safety of
the car or platform; they are not safe
places to explore!
Trackless Trolleys
and Buses
Trackless trolleys and buses connect from
the terminal points of the subway lines
to destinations further out into the
suburbs; a few bus routes also run
through the city. Arrival and departure
times are further apart than on the
subway, and service on evenings and
weekends is limited for most suburban
routes. The trackless trolleys serve
Allston-Brighton, Belmont and Watertown.
They are powered electrically, which
makes them completely silent, a welcome
relief in the cacophony of the city.
Occasionally, the trolleys get disengaged
from the overhead wires (accompanied by a
shower of sparks), and everyone waits
while the driver gets out and
re-establishes the connection.
Commuter Rail
Commuter rail routes run to the suburbs
as far north as Rockport and Haverhill;
as far west as Fitchburg and Framingham;
and as far south as Stoughton and South
Attleboro, with Amtrak connections to
Worcester and Providence. As the name
suggests, commuter rail schedules tend to
be concentrated in the early morning and
late afternoon hours, and weekend
schedules are limited. Unless you board
at a manned station (such as North
Station, South Station, or Back Bay) you
can buy your ticket from the conductor
without any surcharge. Note that
conductors are not obligated to accept
anything larger than a ten-dollar bill,
so try to have small bills on hand.
Many of the commuter rail
stations, as well as the subway terminus
points, have parking lots or parking
garages where parking all-day is fairly
inexpensive. If you plan to park at a
subway end-point on a weekday, you need
to be there before 8 AM to get a space.
Commuter Boat
The T operates shuttles from Rowe's Wharf
to Logan Airport, and from Long Wharf to
Hingham. The trip can be a companionable
one for the regulars, with card games and
conversation; it certainly is far
preferable to sitting in traffic in the
harbor tunnel or on the Expressway! For
the boat, as well as the commuter train,
fares increase with the distance
traveled.
Tips for Safety and
Well-being
Instances of crime and violence on the T
are well-publicized, but statistically
speaking, it's a far safer way to travel
in the city than any other mode. However,
prudence is the better part of valor --
we recommend that you keep to the main,
best-lighted parts of the platforms; keep
your eyes and hands on your belongings;
and keep your wits about you.
If waiting forever for a
subway train or being herded in like
cattle doesn't appeal to you, try to
avoid the crowds associated with major
events near T stops, such as baseball
games at Fenway Park, hockey games and
concerts at the Fleet Center, and
performances on the Charles River
Esplanade. A little planning ahead can
save you hours of time!
In general, call in advance
to verify schedules and routes when
travelling to an area you haven't
explored before. Always allow extra time
for connections -- Murphy's Law operates
in full force here. That said, enjoy your
trips on metro Boston's historic and
idiosyncratic transportation network --
it is a unique way to see the city!
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