Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Citizens' Guide to State Services
Published by
William Francis Galvin
Secretary of the Commonwealth
Citizen Information Service
Transportation: Public Transportation - MBTA
Q15 Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)
Q16 Boat (Ferry) Bus Rail and Subway Schedules, Route Maps, and Information
Q17 Customer Service, Emergencies and Lost and Found
Q19 Reduced Fare Passes for Seniors, Students, and Person with Disabilities
Q20 The Ride
Q15 Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)
10 Park Plaza, Suite 4000
Boston, MA 02116-3975
Main Switchboard: 617-222-3200
Toll Free: 1-800-392-6100 (within Mass. only)
TTY: 617-222-5146
www.mbta.com/guides
The MBTA is the 4th-busiest public transit system in the United States and one of only 2 transit agencies in the country that operates all 5 major modes of land and water transportation.
Q16 Boat (Ferry) Bus Rail and Subway Schedules, Route Maps, and Information
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
Tel: 617-222-3200
Toll Free: 1-800-392-6100
TTY: 617-222-5146
Local rail: 5 subway routes including the Red, Orange, Blue, and Green lines, and the Mattapan Trolley.
Bus: 177 bus routes, including Local, Express, and Cross-town service.
(Bus) Rapid Transit: Silver Line (SL) - 5 bus routes that sometimes travel in dedicated lanes and sometimes on public streets like regular bus routes.
Ferry: Commuter ferry service with 8 terminals connecting downtown Boston to the north and south shores of Massachusetts.
Para-Transit Services: The RIDE, a door-to-door shared-ride service for eligible residents and visitors with disabilities.
Commuter Rail: Regional rail to 137 stations in the Greater Boston area and eastern Massachusetts.
Commuter Rail North Station: 617-222-3200
Commuter Rail South Stations: 617-222-8120
Not part of the MBTA:
Amtrak: 1-800-872-7245
Q17 Customer Service, Emergencies, and Lost and Found
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
Complaints/Commendations/Lost and Found
TeL; 617-222-3200
Toll Free: 1-800-392-6100
TTY: 617-222-5146 (MA)
MBTA Police Emergencies: 617-222-1212
MBTA Police Business (non-emergency): 617-222-1000
TTY: 617-222-1200
Q18 MBTA Pass Programs
Tel: 617-222-3200
Toll Free: 1-800-392-6100 (MA)
https://www.mbta.com/guides/boston-visitor-guide
The cost of your trip and the type of pass you need depend upon your length of stay and which modes of transit you may use. Tickets and passes for all modes except The RIDE are available at fare vending machines located at subway stations. Fare vending machines accept cash and/or credit/debit cards.
Q19 Reduced Fare Passes for Seniors, Students, and Person with Disabilities
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
CharlieCard Store at Downtown Crossing Station on the Orange Line
32 Summer Street via the 101 Arch Street Building, Boston, MA 02111
Tel: 617-222-3200
Toll Free: 800-392-6100
TTY:617-222-5146
https://www.mbta.com/fares/reduced
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30-5:00 (except holidays)
MBTA offers discounted fares for seniors, people with disabilities, middle and high school students, and low-income adults. Some customers, such as people who are blind or suffer from impaired vision ride for free as do Military, Police and Fire personnel in uniform, certain government officials and children 11 and under (2 children per paying adult). No matter which type of reduced fare card you have, all reduced fare prices are the same. The types of MBTA services you have access to may vary by your card type.
Q20 The Ride
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
10 Park Plaza, Room 5750
Boston, MA 02116
Tel: 617-222-5123
TTY 617-222-5415
www.mbta.com/theride
The RIDE is the MBTA's ADA para-transit program. It is a door-to-door, shared-ride service for eligible people who cannot use fixed route transit (bus, subway or trolley) all or some of the time due to a physical, cognitive or mental disability. To become eligible for The RIDE you must complete an in-person interview. Visitors to the area who wish to use such services must also apply. The RIDE service area is restricted to 58 cities and towns in and around Boston.
