MBTA Information
Popularly known as “the T”, the Massachusetts Bay Transport Authority is the owner of various means of public transportation in Massachusetts, Greater Boston, including the subway service. Given the name of “the T” because of its logo, the MBTA began operations around the year 1990. They manage 4 heavy rail lines and 5 light rail lines, with both measuring over 60 km and 40 km, respectively. The lines serves a total of 125 stations. As a whole, the network has a daily ridership of 1,295,700 (2013).
MBTA Subway Timings, Frequency and Schedule
On weekdays and Saturdays, the subway begins operations at around 05:00 am in the morning and runs till 01:00 am, the next day. Sundays follow slightly different timings, with the subway beginning operations at around 06:00 am in the morning and running till 01:00 am , the next day.
The frequency of the trains differ with the days and timings. During peak hours on weekdays, the trains have a headway of just 5-10 minutes. Whereas, the frequency of trains during the late night hours on Sundays, ranges from 8-26 minutes.
For more detailed information on the timings, frequency and schedule of each line, you can visit the official website at: http://www.mbta.com/uploadedFiles/Documents/Schedules_and_Maps/Subway/frequency-schedule.pdf
MBTA Subway Fares, Tickets and Cards
The passengers can travel anywhere on the subway system, in any direction for the same fare. A CharlieCard costs $2.10 and provides free transfer to local bus and discounted transfer to Express Bus. One transfer is valid within two hours after paying the fare. When purchased on board, a Charlie Ticket / Cash on board costs $2.65.
Passengers can also purchase monthly pass called as Monthly LinkPass for a price of $75. This pass is valid for subway and local buses. Day and weekly passes are also available. A one day pass can be purchased for $12.00, while a Weekly or 7-day pass costs $19.00. These passes are valid on subway, local bus and commuter rail zone.
MBTA also provides discounts for senior citizens and people with disabilities. They are charged $1.05 per ride and a monthly pass for them is priced at $29.00. These rates are valid for subway and local bus. The card meant for this purpose is a Senior / TAP ID card. Blind persons can ride the subway and bus for free. A Blind Access card is available for this purpose.
Students of Junior High and High School are also entitled to discounts on the subway, express bus, bus, and commuter rail zone 1, 1A, and 2, with a Student ID badge. The students are charged $1.05 per ride, $26/month for 7-day validity and $26/month for 5-day validity (Monday-Friday).
Children 11 years of age and below can travel on the MBTA subway for free, when accompanied by an adult. The limit is two children per adult.
For more information on the fares, tickets and cards, you can visit the official website at: http://www.mbta.com/fares_and_passes/subway/
MBTA Subway Parking
Park and ride facilities are available at most of the stations. To use these service however, a fee is charged. There are over 50,000 available parking spaces.
MBTA Subway Rules and Tips
At times other than peak hours, all animals can make use of the subway system for free. However, there are certain terms and conditions to be followed. It’s a must that your animal should not be a nuisance while on the subway, troubling other passengers. For convenience sake, small animals are required to be kept in their containers/cages. Bicycles can be carried on all the metro lines except, the green line. During peak hours, other lines also do not allow the transit of bicycles. For more detailed information on the rules with regard to bicycles, you can visit the official website at: http://www.mbta.com/riding_the_t/bikes/
MBTA Subway Lines:
The subway system operates between central Boston and surrounding area. The lines are differentiated by separate colours.
● Blue line – The blue line of MBTA operates from north east to the south west. This line was opened in 1924. The transit system operates between Wonderland station and Bowdoin station in Boston. The blue line meets with the green line at the government center and it also connects with the orange line at State Street providing service to the airport station. The line has 12 stations and serves about 66,933 passengers on its route daily.
● Green line – The green line run by the MBTA in Boston is the oldest subway line that runs underground with four branches. It is the most heavily used lines in the MBTA subway system and the line was assigned with green color in 1967. The line operates through an area called Emerald Necklace of Boston. Green line offers services to four different branches B, C, D and E. The B branch operates between Government Center and Boston College serves 25 stations. The C branch serves between the North station and Cleveland Circle serves 22 stations. The D branch serves between Government Center and Riverside serving 20 stations. The E branch serves between Lechmere and Health Street serving 20 stations.
● Orange line – The orange line operates between Forest Hills and Oak Grove in northern Massachusetts. Orange line meets red, blue and green line at different stations. The line serves 19 stations.
● Red line – The red line operates from North-West region to South-West region, between Alewife Station towards South Boston and the line further splits into two branches, Ashmont and Braintree. It serves nearly 30 stations in total.
● Silver line- The silver line has 4 separate branches. From South Station to Terminal E/Design Center/Dudley Square Station, it serves a total of nearly 30 stations.
MBTA Subway Map
Map of MBTA Subway System in Boston shows various lines and stations. Click on the map to enlarge it. You may also Download MBTA Subway Map in PDF.
