Public Transportation

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) operates subways, trolleys, buses, commuter rails, and commuter boats throughout eastern Massachusetts. Public transit in the area is quite economical and safe. Keep in mind that MTBA subways and buses only run till about 12:30am. If you're planning to be out late, plan to catch one of the last trains or buses; otherwise you will have to walk or pay a taxi fare.

The T
When people talk about the T they usually mean the subway (Train, Tunnel, Tube ... ?), a network of four underground, color-coded rail lines which converge at downtown Boston. T stations are identified by signs with a large T in a circle at the entrance. The Red Line runs through Harvard Square. It intersects with the Green and Orange Lines but does not intersect the Blue Line. Each train is named or distinguished by the color of the line it is on, by its terminals (the two final stops at either end of that line), and by its direction with respect to Downtown Boston ("Inbound," being toward downtown; "Outbound" being away from downtown). For the purposes of the T, Downtown Boston is designated by the square of central stations: Park Street, Downtown Crossing, Government Center and State Street. A train leaving Harvard Square for Downtown Boston, for example, would be a red line, inbound train.

Pick up a T map at any T station ticket window and take a good look at it. Traveling by T is a simple as locating the stops nearest where you are and where you want to go and drawing a line between the two. If your line makes a turn at any point, you will have to get out at that station and change trains. Make sure to get on the right train by following the signs to the platform corresponding to the direction (terminal, In-/Outbound) you want to go.

The T is in the process of converting its old token system to a system of swipe cards something like those you find in the New York and Washington subways. These new tickets are called "Charlie Cards," and starting in January of 2007, there is a new pricing structure. If you use, charge and recharge the plastic "CharlieCard," your tickets cost $1.70, and if you are paying in cash or buying a single-use, paper "Charlie Ticket," your ride will cost $2.00.  Monthly passes are $59 for unlimited uses.

The Silver Line
The Silver Line is also part of the T; it is not a traditional subway train, but a half-underground/half above-ground dedicated bus line that connects downtown Boston with the burgeoning South Boston waterfront district and – very conveniently—the airport. You can connect to the Silver Line from the Red Line at South Station. If you take the Silver Line to the airport, the bus will drop you off directly at your terminal; you will not need to transfer to airport shuttles once you are there. As with all T lines, higher fares apply to some of the more far-flung destinations at the ends of the train and bus lines. If you’re heading to the end of the line, or close, check the MBTA web site to find out just how fare your money will take you.

Buses
Don't forget about the extensive bus lines in the area, especially since Harvard Square houses a major bus terminal in addition to its subway stop. Buses are even cheaper than the subway ($1.25 with a BUS Charlie Card, or $1.50 in paper Charlie Ticket or cash) and can often be quicker than the subway, depending on where you're going.

There are some buses that run so frequently and constantly that you don't have to worry about a schedule. One such bus is the #1, running from Harvard Sq. down Mass Ave. into Boston. However, you should check the schedule for most routes, especially late in the evening and on holidays. Schedules are available at the Harvard T station and at various offices around Harvard. You can also find schedule information on MBTA's web site.

Commuter Rail
The MBTA commuter rail will take you further out of town than the subway. For only a few dollars, you can get as far as Providence, Worcester, or just a few steps from the New Hampshire border.

The commuter rail is split into two parts, with half of the trains leaving from South Station (on the Red T Line) and half from North Station (on the Green and Orange T Lines). In addition, several of the northwest-bound lines make a stop at Porter Square. You can use the commuter rail to reach several quaint towns and beautiful beaches on the North Shore. The MBTA conveniently links Harvard Square to such sites as Rockport, Ipswich, Salem, Walden Pond, Wellesley and a number of hiking and cross-country skiing trails.

Bus Routes through Harvard Square

#1	Dudley Station (via Mass Ave.)	Central Sq., MIT, Newbury St., Symphony Road, Northeastern University, Boston City Hospital
#66	Dudley Sq.	via Brighton, Coolidge Corner and Brookline Village, Brigham Circle.
#69	Lechmere	Cambridge City Hospital, Inman Sq., Cambridge Court House, Galleria Mall
#71	Watertown	via Mt. Auburn St. to Watertown Sq.
#77	North Cambridge	via Mass Ave. to Porter Sq. and beyond
#86	Sullivan Sq./Cleveland Cir.	Sullivan Sq. to Union Sq. in Somerville to Harvard Sq., Brighton Center and ends in Cleveland Circle, Brookline.
#96	Medford Sq.	North from Harvard Sq. to Porter Sq., Davis T Station, Tufts University to Medford Sq.

Transit Passes

If you have out-of-town visitors or plan to take a lot of T rides during a short period of time, you may purchase a Visitors Passport. Available in one ($6), three ($11), and seven ($22) day denominations, these passes offer unlimited bus and subway travel plus over $100 in discounts at tourist attractions. Visitor Passports may be purchased at Airport, Harvard, Back Bay, North and South Stations as well as at the Visitors Center near the Park Street T stop. Call 222-5568 for more information.

MBTA Semester Pass Program
This year the GSAS Office of Student Affairs is offering GSAS students the opportunity to purchase an entire semester's worth of MBTA passes in advance at an 11% discount. These are normal monthly passes (for bus, subway, combo, or commuter rail), but are offered at a significant discount. (For example, the subway pass is offered for $125).

The program will provide four monthly passes (September-January), to be picked up at the end of the preceding month at either the Dean's Office, Byerly Hall 2nd Floor, or at the Longwood Medical Area (TMEC Room 435).

The order form and information on the types of passes offered are available from the GSAS web site, or at the Student Affairs Office, Byerly Hall 2nd Floor. Fill out the form and return it with payment (by check or money order made out to Harvard University) to the GSAS Dean's Office, Byerly Hall 2nd Floor, Cambridge, MA 02138. No orders can be processed without payment in full. Deadline for submission of order form and payment is August 13, 2001. Specific information about pass pick-up will be e-mailed to you when passes are available. Please address any questions to studaff@fas.harvard.edu, or call (617) 495-1814.

Rental Cars
Car rental agencies abound in Cambridge and Boston. Harvard Student Agencies’ excellent Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard lists several local car rental agencies.

And Harvard students can use ZipCars (short-term, hourly car rentals mainly for in-town driving) at a discounted rate.  Harvard students can join Zipcar for $25 a year and skip application fees, monthly minimums, and membership deposits – all big perks for a useful service. Check the ZipCar website for details.