Join Us for the November 2020 Cambridge Transit Advisory Committee (TAC) Meeting
We look forward to meeting with you at the November 4 TAC meeting with remote participation. We will be presenting on the River Street Reconstruction and providing updates on Cambridge projects and development review.
This meeting will be held with remote participation using Zoom webinar. For members of the public who would like to attend this meeting, please visit the webinar registration page to receive a link by e-mail. Information to join by telephone only can be found by clicking here.
Transit Service Updates
  • MBTA Service During COVID-19 Response
  • The MBTA is currently running modified service on all lines and routes. Click the button below to visit the MBTA's COVID-19 response website for more information on public transit service.

  • Rapid Transit - Subway, Green Line, and Silver Line
  • Rapid transit lines operate regular service on weekdays and weekends.
  • The MBTA is operating a free rail-replacement shuttle on the Green Line from Lechmere to North Station as a result of the closure of Lechmere and Science Park stations for Green Line Extension and Green Line Transformation construction.

  • Buses
  • The MBTA is operating most routes with a regular schedule. Some routes in Cambridge are running more often than the pre-COVID schedule.
  • The MBTA operates these bus routes with a reduced weekday service: Routes 79, 91, CT2.
  • The MBTA changed the destination of Route 78 to Arlmont Village instead of Arlington Heights. This change was the result of the suspension of the Route 84 peak-hour bus route.
  • The MBTA is not operating the following routes: 62, 76, 84, 351.

  • Commuter Rail
  • The MBTA will be changing commuter rail schedules on Monday, November 2 in response to changed travel patterns and lower ridership. See below for more information.

  • The RIDE
  • The MBTA has modified the way that The RIDE paratransit works. All rides currently require pre-booking. More information is available on the MBTA's COVID-19 webpage.
New! Reduced Prices for Cash and CharlieTicket Fares

The MBTA lowered cash-on-board and CharlieTicket fares on September 1. Previously, the MBTA charged a higher fare for riders using cash or a paper CharlieTicket. Today, whether you use a paper CharlieTicket, a plastic CharlieCard, or cash on board, the fare is the same price.

The fares for CharlieTicket and cash-on-board riders are, now:
  • $1.70 for a local bus (reduced by $0.30 for CharlieTicket/cash riders)
  • $2.40 for rapid transit, Green Line, and Silver Line (reduced by $0.50 for CharlieTicket/cash riders)
  • $4.25 for inner express buses (reduced by $1.00 for CharlieTicket/cash riders)

Note, free transfers are only available with a CharlieCard. Paying with a CharlieTicket or with cash will require a new fare for each transfer, except in limited cases. More information about transfers at MBTA's transfers page.
New! Commuter Rail Schedules Changing on November 2

The MBTA Commuter rail will have new schedules beginning on Monday, November 2, as a result of changing ridership. In general, most MBTA Commuter Rail lines will have a more regular schedule, with roughly the same amount of time between trains. As a result, there will also be fewer peak-hour trains.

The Fitchburg/Wachusett Line will have 3 more weekday round-trip with trains arriving at Porter Square almost every hour from 5:50 AM to 12:20 AM. Find more information on the MBTA Fitchburg Line page.

In addition, the Commuter Rail is offering special fares given riders' changing travel patterns:
Escalator and Elevator Closures

The MBTA has closed the following escalators:
  • Central - #360 - Alewife platform to street level - due to maintenance
  • Porter - #505 - lobby to street - due to maintenance

The MBTA has closed the following elevators:
  • Alewife - #815 - between the main lobby and parking garage - through winter 2020 while it is being replaced. Adjacent Alewife Elevator 814 is an alternative.