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By Transit

You can ride buses and trains all around Cambridge. Public transit is what makes Cambridge a livable and sustainable city for many. With a well-functioning public transit system, Cambridge residents can access education, work, health care, and daily necessities. Cambridge employers can find and keep workers with many specialized skills.

We have 27 MBTA bus routes, a commuter rail station, and 6 stations on the MBTA Red and Green Lines. The MBTA makes trips easy with free transfers from subway to bus using an electronic CharlieCard.

Below, you will find information about public transit in Cambridge and how City departments are working to make public transit better.

More information about public transit in Cambridge

Who operates public transit in Cambridge?

There are different transit operators in Cambridge. Most operators serve the public. You may need to buy a physical ticket for the Longwood Collective M2 shuttle buses. Click the links below to see more information. Each link will open a new window.

• The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
  • Buses, subway, commuter rail, and ferry around the Boston region
  • The best way to pay is with your own CharlieCard. See more information below.
• EZRide shuttle / Charles River Transportation Management Association
  • EZRide travels between North Station, Kendall/MIT station, and Cambridgeport on weekdays.
  • EZRide is fare-free, at the time of writing
• CambridgeSide Mall Shuttle
  • Shuttle from CambridgeSide to Kendall/MIT Red Line station, Lechmere Green Line station, and back.
  • Shuttle is free.
• Longwood Collective (MASCO) M2 shuttle
  • The MT travels between Harvard station, Central station, Kenmore, and Longwood Medical Area on weekdays
  • M2 shuttle fare information

Where can you go on the MBTA from Cambridge?

Do you want to know more about where you can go by bus, subway, and Commuter Rail in Cambridge? Click the links below to view service maps and service information.

• Map of MBTA and EZRide service in Cambridge
• CitySmart transit information page

How do you pay for a trip on the MBTA?

The CharlieCard is the MBTA's electronic fare payment card. Using a CharlieCard means you can get free subway-to-bus and reduced-rate bus-to-subway transfers. Click the links below to see more information on where to add value or buy a pass or get a no-balance CharlieCard at a city facility.

• MBTA Retail Sales Locations
• MBTA CharlieCard Information
  • MyCharlie Account Center
  • Click here to learn which Cambridge City buildings also give you zero-balance MBTA CharlieCards

Are you a senior, youth, blind, have a disability or have Medicare?

You can now apply and renew online for all MBTA reduced fare programs. Click the links below to see more information. Each link will open in a new window

• MBTA Senior CharlieCard - Age 65 and older
• MBTA Blind Access Pass - Legally blind
• MBTA Transportation Access Pass - People with disabilities or Medicare cardholder
• MBTA Youth Pass program, for Cambridge residents in low-income households ages 12 to 25
  • For more information, contact tpass@cambridgema.gov.
  • Online Application - MBTA Youth Pass
  • Eligibility Guidelines - MBTA Youth Pass

For more information

For more information, please contact Andrew Reker by sending an e-mail to areker@cambridgema.gov or calling 617-349-6959.