Harvard Shuttle Bus Service
( http://www.uos.harvard.edu/transportation/shu.shtml )
The University operates the Harvard Shuttle Bus, which provides free transportation to all parts of the Cambridge and Harvard Business School campuses. This service is limited to students and other Harvard affiliates with Harvard IDs. The bus runs seven days per week, but there is no morning service on weekends and no service on certain holidays. Call 617-495-0400 for schedule information, or pick up a copy of the current schedule at the Information Center in Holyoke Center. Another shuttle bus, the Medical Area Shuttle (M2), runs between Cambridge and the Longwood Medical Area. Medical area students, Harvard staff, and Harvard affiliates with Harvard IDs travel free. All other students and family members of affiliates must purchase tickets in the Medical Area at 180 Longwood Avenue (Parking & Transportation Office), on the fourth floor of Holyoke Center at the Cash Receipts Office, or in the Cashier's Office at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge (617-253-3340). Schedules may also be picked up at these locations, or call 617-495-0400 for Cambridge and 617-632-2800 for the Longwood Medical Area.
Public Transportation in Boston
The public transportation system in the Boston area is called the MBTA or the T. The T consists of subway, bus, and commuter rail services. Street signs indicate subway or bus stops. Service runs seven days a week from approximately 5:00 AM to 12:30 AM. For schedule information and MBTA maps, call 617-722-3200. Schedules and maps are also available on-line: www.mbta.com. Bus schedules may also be found at the Harvard Square and the Park Street subway stations.
The subway consists of four routes or lines: the Red, Green, Blue, and Orange lines, which radiate from downtown Boston. Each line runs inbound and outbound. Inbound trains are those going towards Park Street Station in Boston (the Red and Green Lines cross there), while outbound trains are those going away from Park Street Station. The Red Line runs to Harvard Square and continues on outbound to Alewife. Subway tokens may be purchased at station booths and are deposited in turnstiles to gain access to trains.
Buses and commuter trains also provide service, especially in suburban areas not reached by the subway system. Buses require exact change (usually 90 cents), which is deposited in the coin box at the front of the bus near the driver, usually at the beginning of the trip. The commuter rail (also called the Purple Line) fares vary depending on the distance of the journey from either North Station (north-bound trains) or South Station (south-bound trains) in Boston. Commuter rail service is limited on weekends.
The MBTA Pass program offers six different options for a month's worth of unlimited travel for the price of only 18 round trips. At the beginning of every month, you may purchase a pass to use the buses, subway, commuter rail line, or a combination of these services at the Harvard Square Station, the Park Street Station, and at other locations. For information on the T pass program, call 617-222-3200 or visit the MBTA web site: www.mbta.com for more information.
Taxis
Travel by taxi in the Boston area may be an expensive way to get around, but it can be convenient. There is a taxi stand in front of Holyoke Center in Cambridge. Local companies will dispatch cars to pick up passengers. A listing of taxi companies can be found in the yellow pages of the telephone book or through this web site: http://www.ci.boston.ma.us/transportation/cabs.asp
Driving an Automobile
Owning a car is expensive. Maintaining a car, especially a used one, may be a constant drain on your financial resources. Before buying a used car, you should have a qualified mechanic examine the car. Massachusetts does have a Buyer's Right to Return Law that allows the buyer of a used car to return it for a full refund under certain conditions. A car must be registered with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. To register your car, bring proof of car insurance, the bill of sale, and the certificate of ownership (the "title") to the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Two convenient locations are:
- Boston: 630 Washington St. (Liberty Tree Building) (T: Orange Line to Chinatown)
- Watertown: 550 Arsenal St. (Watertown Mall)
Car insurance is mandatory. The average cost of insuring a car in Massachusetts ranges from $1,000 to $2,000 per year or higher depending on the type of coverage, where you live, and the age of the car. All car owners must also pay an annual excise tax, which varies according to the value of the car.
Parking may also be a problem. Some communities do not allow overnight parking on the street. Others limit daytime street parking to intervals of two hours. In Cambridge and Boston, a majority of the streets require a parking permit that can be obtained only if your car is registered in Massachusetts, and if you have a Cambridge or Boston residence. Local ordinances prohibit parking on certain street cleaning days. Pay attention to posted signs. Even where street parking is permitted, it is often difficult to find a parking space. Coin operated meters monitor the length of time you are permitted to leave your car in a parking space. If the words "violation" or "expired" appear on the meter, the allotted time has ended and you must either insert additional coins or move your car or you may receive a parking ticket and be required to pay a fine. Be sure to consider all of the above before buying a car.
During the winter months when snowfall is particularly heavy, snow emergencies will be declared. TV and radio news reports announce the snow emergencies. At these times, parking is prohibited on many streets. Signs are posted on the streets that are included in this parking ban. Never assume that a parking space will be included in the rental price of an apartment, even if there is a parking lot or garage in or near the building.
Car Rentals
Since public transportation is adequate for getting around Boston, Cambridge, and nearby suburbs, you may want to consider the possibility of renting a car for trips and sightseeing excursions outside of the Boston area. Please note that you must have a driver's license and a major credit card, and you must be 25 years or older to rent a car from most companies.
Zip Car
This company provides another alternative for occasional use of a car. It provides cars for rent at a much lower price than a regular rental. To join, you pay a membership fee, make a security deposit and choose a trial or permanent plan. It is then possible to have use of a car for several hours to shop, sightsee, etc. Consult the website at http://www.zipcar.com/ or 617-995-4231.
Drivers' Licenses
In order to obtain a Massachusetts driver's license, you must go the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) with at least three acceptable forms of identification: your passport and I-94 card, your visa document, and one document showing proof of Massachusetts residency. Acceptable proof of Massachusetts residency includes a lease, a bank statement or passbook, or a utility bill that shows your name and address. You must also present your Social Security card.
If you do not have a Social Security number and you are not eligible to obtain one, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will give you a letter stating that you are ineligible. Once you have obtained a letter from the SSA stating that you are ineligible for Social Security number: take your passport, your I-94 card, your visa document, proof of Massachusetts residency and the SSA letter to the Registry. Please let us know as soon as possible if you have difficulties in obtaining a Mass. Driver's license.
For information on Massachusetts driving regulations, consult the handbook available at the Registry of Motor Vehicles located in the following towns or on their web site http://www.mass.gov/rmv/dmanual/.
- Boston: Liberty Tree Building 630 Washington St. (Chinatown, Orange Line)
- Watertown: 550 Arsenal Street
Massachusetts Identification Card
In order to obtain a Massachusetts Identity Card or a Massachusetts Liquor Identity Card, you must go to the Registry of Motor Vehicles with the same forms of identification listed under Drivers' Licenses. You will pay a fee of $15.00 and will be given an application to complete. The Registry of Motor Vehicles will then issue a card with your photo on it to be used for identification purposes in Massachusetts. This is not a driver's license. Keep in mind that not all bars and restaurants will accept the Massachusetts Identity Card as proof of age for serving alcohol. For more information call 617-351-9000 or log on to: www.massrmv.com for further details to obtain a Massachusetts ID card.
Bicycles
Bicycles are a common means of transportation around Boston and Cambridge. If you buy a bicycle, you must observe traffic laws, be cautious, and always lock your bike when leaving it unattended. Lock your bike in a well-lighted, well-traveled area, rather than an isolated area where it could be easily stolen. It is also a good idea to invest in a sturdy bicycle lock. Since there are relatively few bicycle paths, you must bike on the street with the flow of traffic. A popular bicycle path is the one along the Charles River. You should also wear a bicycle helmet while biking. You may register your bicycle in-person by bringing it to HUPD headquarters at 1033 Massachusetts Avenue or to 180 Longwood Avenue (Boston), or by registering on-line at: http://www.hupd.harvard.edu/bike.php