How to Become a Pro at Public Transportation in Boston

Going to a university in Boston is easy for those that know what MBTA is. However, unlike New York, it isn’t centered around a grid system. MBTA stands for Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, but you don't really need to know that. The easiest way to understand the breakdown of the MBTA is to divide it into three main services: the commuter rail, the subway or the ‘T’, and the buses.

The MBTA uses different lines to cover Boston and surrounding cities. The commuter rail, which is all trains, is known as the purple line. The buses are known as the silver line and the subway is made up of four different lines: green, red, blue, and orange. Although it might look scary, MBTA does have the class map of all the lines in and around Boston. Remember that Boston is large and abbreviations are going to become your best friend.

The MBTA is perfect for college students to get across the city because they offer much cheaper fares than Uber or Lyft whose rates change every few minutes. Although it can be the most expensive at times, the commuter rates range between $2.40 - $13.25 for a one-way ticket. The subway or the ‘T’ offers a quicker service than the commuter rail which is much cheaper. I recommend investing in a Charlie Card as it is the simplest way of paying for access to the T. The standard rate for a one-way subway pass is $2.40; buses are $1.70. However, there are different fares and rates available that become valuable for frequent travelers.

If you want to truly explore the city and become a pro at public transportation then I strongly encourage you to read more on MBTA.com and download helpful apps like Transit.