Getting Around Boston on the MBTA

On the Subway	On the Bus	On Commuter Rail	History of MBTA
Subway Questions	Bus Questions	Commuter Questions	History Questions

Boston has an excellent public transportation system, called the Massachusetts Bay Transportation System (MBTA). It is composed of Subways, Buses, and Commuter Rail.
Let's start by looking at a MAP OF THE ENTIRE SYSTEM.

Everyone in Boston knows the Subway. The Subway covers all of central Boston and Cambridge. Here is a Map of the Subway System.You can see each subway line by clicking on a stop.

 
to see the Subway Questions

The Bus System is the largest and most widespread form of public transportation in Boston. There are over a hundred different bus routes. How do you know which bus to take to reach your destination? Check out this handy MBTA Bus Route Finder.(click on Buses)

You can search for bus information in three ways:

1) By route. If you know the route number of the bus you want to take, choose it and see the map and schedule. For example, choose the bus route #1. Now look at the Route Map. You can print out these route maps if you want to consult them later.

• Where does the #1 Bus begin its route?
• Where does the #1 Bus end its route?

Now click the back button on your browser and choose the Weekday AM schedule.

• What time does the first bus leave Harvard Square?
• What time does it arrive at Dudley?
• What time does the first bus leave Dudley?
• What time does it arrive at Harvard Square?

2) By town. If you need to get to a certain part of Boston, or a town near Boston, enter the name and find what routes go through that area. For example, search for the buses which go to Allston.

• How many routes pass through Allston?
• Where does the #66 Route begin?
• When does the first outbound bus on route #66 reach Harvard Square on Saturday morning?

3) By keyword. A keyword can be the name of a square, or a landmark, or a company or mall. For example, try searching for Franklin Park Zoo.

• What bus goes to the Franklin Park Zoo?
• Where does that bus begin its route?
• What time is the first bus on Sunday morning?

to see the Bus System Questions

If you want to get further out of Boston you can use the Commuter Rail System. These are commuter trains which are used mainly by people who work in Boston but live in the surrounding suburbs. Use the MBTA Commuter Rail page to answer the following questions

• What Commuter rail line goes to Natick?
• Where does that train leave from in Boston?
• What time should you leave Natick on a weekday if you want to arrive in downtown Boston by 9 am?

to see the Commuter Rail Questions

Finally, the MBTA web page has some fascinating information on the History of Public Transportation in Boston. Boston has one of the oldest systems of Public Transportation in the United States. In fact, it is older than the United States itself. If you are interested in history, read the link above and answer the History Question Set. to see the History Questions