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The Boston metropolitan
area is easily accessible by all forms of transportation: public transit,
bicycles, walking and automobiles alike.
A. Public Transportation: The MBTA The MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) operates an extensive system of subways and buses in the Greater Boston metropolitan area. The heart of the MBTA is the subway system (better known as the "T"), with most bus routes beginning at subway stations. The T operates between 5:30 a.m. and 1:00 a.m. although some routes may begin later or end earlier. It is a good idea to immediately familiarize yourself with the final subway and bus trips to your area so you can be sure to get home late at night. Purchasing a comprehensive T system map is essential if you plan to use public transportation. Detailed route and verbal fare information are available from the information booth at Park Street Station, while the subway is running, and from the State Transportation Library on the second floor of 10 Park Plaza (downtown Boston), Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm. Schedule information is also available at some City Halls and public libraries. The Off-Campus Housing Service provides some T information as well. The usual subway fare is $2.00 and the usual bus fare is $1.50. Exact change is necessary for the bus while the subway requires tokens which are purchased at the subway stations. T service above ground in outlying areas, such as Allston-Brighton and Brookline, is more expensive. T pass (Charlie Card) can be purchased offering substantial savings to frequent riders Visitor passes can be purchased for 1, 3, or 7 days. MIT offers a subsidized T pass through the Parking and Transportation Office. Passholders can save money on transportation, auto insurance, entertainment and special shopping offers. You may order subsidized T passes through the MIT Parking and Transportation Office. Non-subsidized passes are available at Park Street Information Booth of Government Center. They are only available the last 5 days of each month. The closest subway stop to MIT is on the red line at Kendall Square/MIT, located on the east side of campus near the Sloan School. The Central Square stop on the red line and the Hynes Convention Center/ICA stop on the green line are both 10-15 minute walk down (or up) Massachusetts Avenue. The major T bus stop serving MIT is at 77 Massachusetts Avenue, directly in front of Lobby 7. The #1 Harvard/Dudley bus travels up and down Massachusetts Avenue from Harvard Square to Washington Street and Dudley Station in Roxbury. The #1 bus is popular with students and Boston residents alike, especially in bad weather, as it gets them across the river without the wet and/or bitter cold walk across the Harvard Bridge. A new bus route, CT1 and CT2 also offer direct routes to MIT/Kendall Sq. For more information: go to MBTA website
The relatively small size of the Boston/Cambridge area makes biking a popular mode of transportation for students. During the spring, summer and fall months, a bicycle can be one of the most efficient forms of transportation. Snow piles, ice, and freezing temperatures, however, all make biking impractical in the winter months. Bicycling in Boston traffic is a challenge any time of the year. While navigating a bike in Boston traffic is challenging, the real challenge is keeping your bike. Bicycle theft is rampant in the Boston/Cambridge area. As a first step, invest in a good bike lock. MIT Campus Police provide information concerning the strengths and weaknesses of various types of bike locks. Campus Police also provide electric engraving tools with which you can engrave your bicycle. Once it is engraved, make a record of the number you used and keep this record, the bill of sale and a complete description of the bicycle (including the manufacturer's serial number) in a safe place. As an added precaution, you are encouraged to register your bike with the MIT Campus Police. This can be done in person at Dupont, W31, or online. This service is provided for the MIT community at no charge. Upon registration, you will receive a registration sticker, safety information and campus bicycle regulations; if you register online, you will receive the sticker and information via campus mail. To combat bicycle theft, MIT has established a centrally located bicycle compound in the rear of building 13. The compound operates on a card key system. Campus Police issues card keys to any member of the MIT community for a small fee. Visit the MIT Police homepage for more information or to register your bicycle online. With proper care and precautions, biking can be one of your most efficient and enjoyable forms of transportation. While having a car in Boston provides you with the greatest amount of freedom, the street system, traffic, Boston drivers, automobile theft and a severe lack of parking can create more difficulties than advantages. Massachusetts law requires that all out-of-state cars operated in Massachusetts for more than 30 days a year be registered with the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Undergraduate students are eligible to receive a non-resident student permit from the Parking Office which allows you to continue using your out-of-state license plates. Graduate Students are not eligible for this permit and should register their cars with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles if it has out-of-state plates and will be in the state for more than 30 days in a year. Registration must be accomplished within 30 days of the time the motor vehicle is brought into Massachusetts. In order to obtain a City of Cambridge residential parking permit, you must register your car in Massachusetts and be issued a Massachusetts Drivers License. Parking permits for MIT parking lots are available to all residents of on-campus housing. Parking for commuting MIT students may be limited. The Boston/Cambridge area has one of the highest automobile theft rates in the country. It is, therefore, advisable to take some basic precautionary measures:
MIT Police has auto safety and security information available. They are also willing to discuss car alarm systems and other methods of making your car more secure. The Police Departments in Boston area cities and towns are also happy to provide these services. Take the time to look into securing your car as unaware students are often car theft victims. Not having a car
in Boston can probably save you a great deal of money and frustration,
though students living far from campus may find a car essential.
Safe Ride The Parking and Transportation Office operates MIT's safety shuttle van known as SafeRide. SafeRide provides a safe means of transportation at night within and around the MIT campus. SafeRide operates
7 days a week from: This service is free and available to all members of the MIT community. The Saferide vans are driven by service assistant employees of Standard Parking, who carry two-way radios for a direct link to the SafeRide Office and the Campus Police. In addition, the Campus Police will accommodate requests for after hour safety rides until daylight. The SafeRide service has designated a handicapped-accessible van for each route. These vans are available on-call to anyone who requires this service during the scheduled hours. Contact: The SafeRide Office, (617) 258-6510 / mitparking@mit.edu SafeRide service covers parts of Boston and Cambrdge that may be near where you live. Current schedules and route maps can be accessed on their website. Tech Shuttle MIT operates a campus shuttle between 7:15 AM and 7:13 PM called the Tech Shuttle. Current schedules and route maps can accessed on the MIT Parking and Transportation web sitewebsite. Grocery Shuttle The Grocery Shuttle, originated by the Graduate Student Council, is primarily for on campus residents, but is for all members of the MIT Community. It is sponsored by Star Market and coordinated through the office of Campus Dining. The shuttle runs every Saturday during the academic year (not including breaks). More information and the current schedule are on the website above. Lincoln Lab, Bates and Wellesley Shuttles The above offer daytime shuttles to various areas connected with MIT. The Parking and Transportation Office website has links to the schedules and routes of these shuttles.
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