MBTA 2024: Taking Public Transit in Boston (Includes T Alerts for AB weekend!)

If you're new to the city or taking the T in from out of town, this is where you can get advice from people living in The Hub. Please keep discussion limited to things in and around Boston.
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Kashimalin
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MBTA 2024: Taking Public Transit in Boston (Includes T Alerts for AB weekend!)

Post by Kashimalin »

Sorry for this late posting, general life has made it really busy, so I totally forgot to post a new version for this year!

This topic is the 2024 edition of updates and questions for the "T" (MBTA) in Boston, our public transit system. I'll start with closure updates to keep in mind around AB time, then have our helpful list of tips for how to get to AB from the various ways coming into town. I appreciate any extra help or info that anybody can add to this thread!

T ALERTS AND UPDATES FOR AB 2024:
  • The Red Line will be replaced by shuttles from BROADWAY to ASHMONT, and BROADWAY to NORTH QUINCY [BRAINTREE LINE], for March 30th and 31st. This closure is right in the middle of Anime Boston and can impact those commuting into the con daily from this location. Allowing yourself extra time for commuting through these areas is highly recommended.
  • The Orange Line will also be replaced by shuttles from RUGGLES to FOREST HILLS, for March 30th and 31st. Commuter rail service will be free for Forest Hills, Ruggles, Back Bay, and South Station. (Thank you @Kanechan for the notice!)
  • The Newbury/Rockport Commuter Rail line will have buses replacing service between Swampscott and North Station on March 30/31st.
  • The Haverhill Commuter Rail Line will have buses replacing service between Reading & Oak Grove, making some additional stops, March 30/31. In addition, train service will be suspended at North Wilmington Station on March 30/31 - commuters are recommended to board the Lowell Line train at Wilmington Station ~2 miles away if they utilize this station.

    For both of these Haverhill alerts, it's recommended to read the detailed report if this impacts your commute at https://www.mbta.com/alerts/commuter-rail

Getting TO the Hynes Convention Center on your T of Choice

For the Green line: You can take the B, C, or D train to the Hynes Convention Center stop. Ascend the stairs (2 flights), and walk out to the exit. You should see two high-rise buildings in front of you, with metal-wire construction fencing in front. Turn left and cross the bridge toward Berklee College of Music. When you reach the crosswalk, you can look left and you will see the Hynes and Prudential buildings. Walk left in that direction until you are at the Hynes Bolyston Street Entrance.

Elevator Access: There is NO ELEVATOR ACCESS AT THE HYNES. It is NOT recommended to take this route if you would like to use the elevator.


OR, the indoor-only, elevator-accessible method for the Green line: Take the E to Prudential. It's a whole walk indoors through a nice mall, instead of a walk outside along a major road with a big road crossing involved. When you step through the fare gates to exit, go left. Go up the escalator and through the door. Turn right, go up the escalator. Then, you can either follow the stream of cosplayers, or if you want directions: walk all the way down this corridor until you are in a "four way" foyer space. Take the left exit (where you see a "Shake Shack" at the other end.) Walk, and you will find the Hynes Prudential Entrance.

Elevator Access: There are 3 total elevator rides. When at the station platform, there is a small ramp on the platform. leading to the elevator. Next, go through the fare gates and turn left. There will be a second elevator next to the escalators. Ride up, and go through the door into the mall in front of you. Look to your right as soon as you go through the door, and the last elevator will be right there, before the escalators.

Commuter Rail/Purple Line towards North Station: When you get off at North Station, you can catch the Green Line. Subway access back and to the left - pass through the fare gates to exit, and turn left. Just before the glass doors leading outside, there is an entrance to the subway to the right. Head down the elevator/escalator, and you will be in the North Station subway stop. Follow instructions above for Green line commuting.


For the Orange Line Train: Get off at Back Bay Station. When disembarking, there are some exit gates behind the stairs. Through these, you can go through a tunnel under Dartmouth Street to get to the Copley Place Mall. Walk up the stairs to the ground level, then take the Escalator to the 3rd floor of Copley Place. You then walk through the mall towards the Marriott, taking an escalator down to the second floor, and then to the Skybridge into the Prudential. (This spits you out near the CVS.)

Through there, walk through the mall hall until you come to a "four way" foyer. Take the exit "straight ahead" (where you see a "Shake Shack" at the other end.) Walk down there and you will find the Prudential Hynes Entrance.
Elevator access: To be confirmed!

Commuter Rail/Purple Line towards South Station: If you pass through Back Bay, you can disembark and follow the same instructions as the Orange Line access above.

If you pass through Braintree / JFK/UMass, you do not have the chance to get off at Back Bay. For this circumstance, it is recommended that you ride into South Station, then hop on the Red Line and transfer to either Orange or Green and follow the above instructions. If you feel you want more detailed instructions for navigating through South Station to get to the subway line and making your transfer, let us know!


How to Use The T

You can find a helpful resource on the MBTA site with their Visitor's Guide! https://www.mbta.com/guides/boston-visitor-guide

However, a rundown:
  • If you are using buses and the subway, you will want to buy a CharlieTicket to commute with. These can be purchased at fare machines at most stations. If commuting to stay at a hotel, put on $5.00 (one trip to get there, one trip to leave). If commuting every day to the con, use your discretion - $15.00 for each day can get you there and back, obviously. Don't hesitate to put on extra money for other trips.
  • For commuter rail, you can use the mTicket (MBTA mobile app) for tickets, or buy a ticket for the appropriate Zone you are commuting to/from. Stored value is not accepted on the train for boarding.

    And as a reminder for North Station users: a reminder that the new fare gates are tap to get in and to exit. You will need to make sure you have a "Zone #" ticket loaded on your card from a machine or phone to board - it does NOT deduct stored value as well.

Thank you @PatrickD, @Elli21486, @Shirley Dulcey, and @Anna-neko so far, as they have helped make this post a better resource for all commuters to the con!

MBTA-ers, add on your tips about close to transit hotels, last-train out advice, and such, and those with questions: ask away! :D
Last edited by Kashimalin on Mon Mar 18, 2024 6:47 am, edited 3 times in total.
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Re: MBTA 2024: Taking Public Transit in Boston

Post by Penti »

One hotel I really like that's close to the T, that I stayed at last year, is the SpringHill Suites in Revere, MA.
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/b ... /overview/

It's a less than 5 minute walk to Wonderland station on the Blue Line; go out the door next to the on-site Starbucks and head left to reach the station. From there, just ride to Government Center and transfer to Green Line (I personally prefer taking the E train and getting off at Prudential).
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Re: MBTA 2024: Taking Public Transit in Boston (Includes T Alerts for AB weekend!)

Post by Kanechan »

The T has just updated their subway service closure listing with news of activity on the Orange Line: They say service will be suspended between Forest Hills and Ruggles stations on March 30~31, during the con, much like with the Red Line at that time. Shuttle buses will be running for the duration, and commuter rail between Forest Hills, Ruggles, Back Bay, and South Station will be fare-free during that time. This is being done for work on the signals and switches along the route.
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Re: MBTA 2024: Taking Public Transit in Boston (Includes T Alerts for AB weekend!)

Post by Kashimalin »

Kanechan wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2024 2:22 pm The T has just updated their subway service closure listing with news of activity on the Orange Line: They say service will be suspended between Forest Hills and Ruggles stations on March 30~31, during the con, much like with the Red Line at that time. Shuttle buses will be running for the duration, and commuter rail between Forest Hills, Ruggles, Back Bay, and South Station will be fare-free during that time. This is being done for work on the signals and switches along the route.
Ooh, thank you for this notice! I saw that and haven't had a chance to sign in and update, so I'm glad someone else caught it.

Updating the original post now!
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Re: MBTA 2024: Taking Public Transit in Boston (Includes T Alerts for AB weekend!)

Post by Kanechan »

Now for a last-minute notification from the T website: Two of the escalators in Prudential Station, on the Green Line "E" route, are currently unavailable due to maintenance. They are Escalator 151 from the lobby to the Prudential Center, and Escalator 503 from the lobby to Huntington Avenue. Please be aware of these closures if you are planning to take the Green Line "E" train to and from Prudential, especially if you are in cosplay gear.
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Re: MBTA 2024: Taking Public Transit in Boston (Includes T Alerts for AB weekend!)

Post by soulshipping »

Kanechan wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 2:02 pm Now for a last-minute notification from the T website: Two of the escalators in Prudential Station, on the Green Line "E" route, are currently unavailable due to maintenance. They are Escalator 151 from the lobby to the Prudential Center, and Escalator 503 from the lobby to Huntington Avenue. Please be aware of these closures if you are planning to take the Green Line "E" train to and from Prudential, especially if you are in cosplay gear.
Ooof, I'm spreading this info to all my cosplay friends. Thanks for the heads up!
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Re: MBTA 2024: Taking Public Transit in Boston (Includes T Alerts for AB weekend!)

Post by Elli21486 »

Heads up, hearing that MBTA is set to begin retiring the Charlie Cards this year...
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Re: MBTA 2024: Taking Public Transit in Boston

Post by mariahcarey »

Penti wrote: Sun Mar 03, 2024 2:18 pm One hotel I really like that's close to the T, that I stayed at last year, is the SpringHill Suites in Revere, MA.
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/b ... /overview/mapquest

It's a less than 5 minute walk to Wonderland station on the Blue Line; go out the door next to the on-site Starbucks and head left to reach the station. From there, just ride to Government Center and transfer to Green Line (I personally prefer taking the E train and getting off at Prudential).
It’s 2024 and some days we have 30 min headways on the Red Line lol.
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Re: MBTA 2024: Taking Public Transit in Boston (Includes T Alerts for AB weekend!)

Post by Elli21486 »

Elli21486 wrote: Fri May 24, 2024 6:07 pm Heads up, hearing that MBTA is set to begin retiring the Charlie Cards this year...
Update: Beginning August 2024, you will be able to use contactless methods (credit card/smartphones) at stations and busses. Unsure if Charlie Cards will still be usable after that...
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