{"id":69,"date":"2022-05-24T11:45:46","date_gmt":"2022-05-24T15:45:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/transportation\/?page_id=69"},"modified":"2026-07-02T17:03:01","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T21:03:01","slug":"student-mbta-options","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/transportation\/public-transit\/student-mbta-options\/","title":{"rendered":"Student MBTA Options"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority<\/a> (MBTA) is the Boston area’s mass transit system offering bus, subway, commuter rail, ferry, and paratransit service.<\/p>\n

The Charles River Campus<\/strong> is located on the B Branch of the Green Line<\/a> and the Framingham Worcester Commuter Rail Line<\/a>. The campus is served by bus lines<\/a> CT2, 47, and 57.<\/p>\n

The Medical Campus<\/strong> is served by bus lines<\/a> CT3, 1, 8, 10, and 47. Newmarket BID shuttles<\/a> provide frequent service to Ruggles, Andrew, and Newmarket MBTA Stations.<\/p>\n

Tap to Ride<\/h2>\n

Paying for trips on MBTA buses and subway (T) trains is easy with the MBTA’s new Tap to Ride system<\/a>. Just tap a contactless credit\/debit card or mobile wallet-equipped smart phone\/watch on the fare station where the screen says “Tap Here.” Fare rates are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Subway (T)<\/strong><\/th>\nBus<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
One way*<\/td>\nOne way*<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
$2.40<\/td>\n$1.70<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

*transfer up to two times and pay only the cost of the higher-priced service.<\/p>\n

CharlieCards?<\/h2>\n

While they are still used for Semester Passes and Monthly Passes, Charlie Cards are no longer necessary for paying individual fares on the bus or T. The MBTA is in the process of creating a new CharlieCard<\/a> with more advanced features and account management options. Until that system is launched, your best bet for paying individual bus and T fare is to simply use contactless payment (see above) with a credit card, smart phone, or smart watch. If you are unable or do not wish to use those payment methods, Charlie Cards can still be purchased at any underground T station (Kenmore station is the nearest to the Charles River Campus).<\/p>\n

\"Close-up<\/h3>\n

Semester Pass<\/h2>\n

Designed for commuting students, the Semester Pass program offers an 11% discount off of the regular monthly \u201cT\u201d pass price.<\/strong> Semester Passes are rarely a good value for students living on campus.<\/p>\n

2026 Spring MBTA Semester Passes may now be ordered via the Transportation Management Portal<\/a> between now and 4 p.m. ET Saturday, January 10, 2026<\/strong>. No applications, cancellations, or refunds can be processed once the January 10th deadline has passed. You must be an enrolled full-time student to charge the Semester Pass to your student account.<\/p>\n

MBTA Spring Semester Passes will be valid during each of the following months:<\/p>\n