The Public Transit Waltz - aka how to get around without a car

Why you should do the waltz

While a car can really get you places - to the grocery store, shopping, cape cod, etc. it also costs a lot (parking runs you a $150+/mo. and don't forget insurance and gas costs!) and driving in this area is a really big pain because of the aggressive drivers and confusing streets (recall: On The Amazing Race, held in Boston few seasons ago - pretty much every single team got lost here...)

So today, I'm going to give you an insiders look at how, with a little bit of planning, you too can do the "public transit waltz."  This information should be helpful for all Boston newcomers, and has some extra info on perks for MIT students ;)

Convinced?  Ok, here's what you do...

First, open this public transit tracker website on your smartphone, and click on "add to homepage" and save as an icon on your phone:

www.nextbus.com

This bus tracker gets your location, and shows which buses are coming when.  It's pretty awesome - I've used it for the MIT Tech Shuttle (see below). and it's fairly accurate.

Then, if you're not an MIT student, get one of these (for MIT students, hold for the next tip...):

It's a plastic CharlieCard for the MBTA, Boston's public transit system. It gives you a 50 cent discount on both bus and subway, which can add up really fast considering you will be taking one or the other wherever you go.  The MBTA website says it's available at most stations 7a-7p, but it's really not available anywhere except the downtown crossing stop, 8:30-5:30p M-F (don't bother going to the other stations - I learned this the hard way...)





If you're an MIT student, sign up for the T-pass discount program, and choose the Linkpass option.  You'll get half off 70 bucks.  Not bad!
https://commuting.mit.edu/

Waltzing with the MIT shuttles

For MIT students: check out the shuttles!  (I have looked up all of these and downloaded all PDFs into my smartphone - I recommend you do the same ;) )

Tech Shuttle: Runs Monday through Friday, from 6:15 AM to 7:10 PM.  Stops right at MIT Sloan Business school.
http://web.mit.edu/facilities/transportation/shuttles/tech_shuttle.html

Others worth noting:
Saferide, which runs at night: http://web.mit.edu/facilities/transportation/shuttles/safe_ride.html
Boston Daytime Shuttle, which takes you into Boston: http://web.mit.edu/facilities/transportation/shuttles/daytime_boston.html

And few **new** ones (they didn't have these when I was an undegrad!)
Airport shuttle: http://web.mit.edu/facilities/transportation/shuttles/airport.html
Grocery shuttle, looks like this only runs during the academic year, but looking forward to this in the fall, as it goes to Trader Joes, Star Market, and even Costco!: http://web.mit.edu/facilities/transportation/shuttles/grocery.html

Last but not least, I've heard good things about this one although I've never taken it,
EZride, which takes you to the Cambridge Galleria Mall, among other destinations.  It's free with your MIT ID. http://www.charlesrivertma.org/program_ezride.htm

Have other tips?  Share in the comments below!

Happy waltzin'!