This is an MIT Shuttle that connects S-P to the rest of the world.
The NW Shuttle runs every 20 minutes between approximately 6:30am to 6:30pm (weekdays, excluding holidays).
During the regular school-year, there is NW Shuttle morning service every 10 minutes from 6:30am to 8:30am.
Check out s-p.mit.edu/resources/shuttletrack.php for routes and real-time shuttle location
SafeRide (white vans with MIT logo) is run by MIT and provides a free and safe means of transportation at night within and around MIT and in parts of Boston. Routes start at the MIT bus stop on Mass Ave., and run every half-hour between 6 pm and 2-3 am.
HANDY HINT: It’s convenient to take it to cross the bridge to Boston during the winter evenings.
Check the schedules and routes at web.mit.edu/facilities/transportation/shuttles/safe_ride.html
The MIT Transportation Office runs several other routes. TechShuttle is also run by MIT, but does not stop near S-P. The Shuttle runs from Westgate and Tang Residence Hall to Kendall Square. For the Tech Shuttle and other schedules and maps please visit: web.mit.edu/facilities/transportation/shuttles/
You can also track the motion of the SafeRide at shuttletrack.mit.edu
The EZRide (big blue bus) runs between Cambridge and Boston’s North Station.
It operates Mondays–Fridays from about 7 am to 7 pm (check www.masscommute.com/tmas/crtma/ezride.html for the exact schedule and a map).
The EZRide Shuttle is free with your MIT ID, and conveniently has an inbound stop located near S-P, on the southeast corner of Sidney St. and Pacific St.
Handy Hint: You can take the EZRide to a number of locations, including Kendall Square and the CambridgeSide Galleria (Lechmere T-stop). Cambridgeside Galleria also has its own shuttle running between Kendall Sq and the mall during limited hours.
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority: www.mbta.com
Historic fact: Boston is home of the first Public Transit System in the country. The public transportation system here is very convenient and it is commonly known as the “T” (refers to both the subway and buses). For detailed schedules and maps of the routes, check the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) website at www.mbta.com.
All of the rail lines use downtown as a reference point, where INBOUND is any direction going towards the four connection points (Park Street, Downtown Crossings, Government Center and State Stations) and OUTBOUND is the opposite direction, towards the end of the lines.
The closest T-stations (by T-stations we mean subway stations) to MIT are the Kendall/MIT, on the east side of campus, and Central Square, on the north side. Both are on the Red Line. There’s also the Boston University Green Line stop across the river on the west side of campus.
The nearest, and most convenient, bus is the #1 route. It goes along Mass Ave. all the way from Harvard Square and across the bridge. The bus stop of MIT is at the big steps in front of the Stratton Student Center.
Do not forget to get your Charlie Card. Charlie Cards are available from any T stop office.
With Charlie Card, the buses cost $1.25 per ride, whereas the subway ride is $1.70.
Subway-to-subway transfers are free at the 4 transfer points downtown (including Bus Rapid Transit line called the Silver Line). Bus-to-bus transfers are also free, just make sure you ask the driver for a transfer slip. Bus-to-subway, and vice-versa transfers are not commonly allowed except for certain routes (check the MBTA website for exact transfer pairs).
If you will be using the T quite frequently, you’ll be happy to know that the MIT Parking & Transportation Office offers subsidized MBTA monthly passes for students and employees. Registered students who have a current bursar account (and do not have a full MIT parking permit) are eligible.
Applications run from September to August each year. You must apply one month in advance of the first month you want wish to begin receiving passes.
Please check the Parking & Transportation website for up-to-date prices.
You can get an application from the MIT Parking Office (W20-022, x8-6510).
A word of caution. The T seems to be under constant construction or improvement, detours and closed routes are common, so be prepared.
Annoyingly, the T stops running a little after midnight (depending on the line), so plan ahead!
If you have a car, be reminded that parking in Boston can be a headache. Unless you’re adventurous, driving against Boston drivers isn’t much fun either. Having your own car, however, is extremely convenient for things like grocery/furniture shopping, or for travel outside Boston (e.g., ski trips, camping/hiking trips)
A regular MIT parking sticker is needed (applications are at the Parking Office).
Parking spaces are assigned by the MIT Parking & Transportation Office through a lottery.
Temporary passes will be available the first few days that residents move in.
For more information about vehicle registration, parking stickers, campus parking lots, and other parking- or transportation-related stuff, contact the MIT Parking & Transportation Office (W20-022, x8-6510) or see their website at web.mit.edu/parking/
If you only want a car for the weekend (or whatever), you can rent one. But if you are under 25, renting can be difficult, and if not difficult, then expensive. Many car agencies add a substantial surcharge for under-25 drivers (according to Massachusetts state regulations).
HANDY HINT: If you are being supported by MIT (RA or TA), you are eligible to rent cars for MIT business under the MIT Corporate Account with Budget. Check out the MIT Travel website (controllers.mit.edu/travel) or contact the Travel Office (NE49-4037, x8-5949) for more information. They can give you an account number so you can reserve a car with corporate rates and no surcharge. You may be required to prove your affiliation when you pick up the car, so bring a recent pay stub (RA/TA check receipt) with you.
Zipcars can be found at parking locations throughout the city (such as the lot at Star Market) and are available for use by members for any length of time.
HANDY HINT: Zipcar is a good alternative to renting a car.
To become a member, a one-time application fee and a security deposit are required.
HANDY HINT: MIT has begun sponsoring Zipcar membership for all MIT staff and graduate students. Thus you can become a Zipcar member without having to pay the application fee or the security deposit (and you also get a discount off the annual membership fee).
For more information about Zipcars, check out www.zipcar.com. To apply for membership online, just follow the links and then select “I’m affiliated with an existing organization.” Enter “MIT” and choose the MIT—Staff & Grads account. Zipcar will verify your employment at MIT and process your application electronically.
During the warmer season, biking is certainly the best way to get around in Cambridge. Conveniently, there are two bike storage rooms in S-P located on the ground floor in the southeast end of the building.