Transportation

orange line train

Getting Around Boston

Train, bus, cycling, driving, even ferry boat – there are so many ways to get around Boston! Learn about options to get from one place to another.

Public Transit

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is greater Boston’s public transit service. Trains, subways, buses, and ferry boats connect nearly 200 cities and towns to Boston. BHCC even has its own subway stop on the Orange Line.

How to Ride the “T”

  • A one-way ride on the subway (nicknamed the “T”) is $2.40. Visit the MBTA’s Fares website for current fares for all forms of public transit, including weekly and monthly passes.
  • A CharlieCard is a reusable card that you can load with cash or passes to pay for the bus or subway. You can pick up a CharlieCard at most subway stations.
  • Pay your fare on the bus or subway platform by tapping the fare reader with your CharlieCard, debit or credit card, or digital wallet in your smartphone.
  • Plan your route and check for service disruptions at MBTA website.
  • Track real-time bus and subway departure times in the MBTA Go app.

Discounted Semester T Passes

  • Bunker Hill Community College offers a discounted Semester T Pass program for students. The discount is for 11% off the cost of monthly fare passes for the length of the semester.
  • Purchase a Semester Pass in your SelfService account. The deadline for purchasing a semester T-pass is typically one month before the start of each semester. You must present a BHCC student ID and current College registration to get your pass.

Ride Apps and Taxi Services

Lyft and Uber are popular ride apps. Taxis can be requested through the Curb app, or by calling a local taxi company.

Helpful Hints for Requesting a Ride

  • Cost: Ride apps Lyft and Uber use dynamic pricing, meaning the price can change depending on time and availability. Taxi meter rates are standard: check rates on the Boston Police Department website.
  • Safety: When requesting a ride through an app, you must confirm the license plate number and name of the driver with the information in the app.
  • Tipping: Tipping 15 – 20% is customary and can be completed through the ride app.

Bike Sharing

Rent a bike for a short ride or for the day with BlueBikes. BlueBike stations are located all over the greater Boston area. There’s even a BlueBike station on BHCC’s campus, on the Gilmore Bridge side of the Main Plaza.

Renting or Owning a Car

You can rent a car by the hour with Zipcar. You will need to apply and pay a membership to use the service. You can find Zipcars in specific parking lots in the greater Boston area.

If you decide to buy or lease a car, you must register your car with the government of Massachusetts. In order to register a car in Massachusetts, you must purchase automobile insurance.

Boston and surrounding cities all have their own rules and regulations for parking.

Parking at BHCC

BHCC offers limited parking for students on the Charlestown and Chelsea Campuses in designated areas. A valid parking permit is required. Parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Hours and Locations: 6 a.m. – 11 p.m., 7 days per week

  • Charlestown Campus, Lots 1 & 2
  • Chelsea Campus, designated areas marked by signs that read “RESERVED BHCC STUDENT/STICKER PARKING ONLY”

Parking Permits:

  • Semester-long parking permit: Purchase through the ParkWiz platform. The semester rate is $105.
  • Daily parking passes: Available at Charlestown Campus only. Scan the QR code at the entrance of Lots 1 & 2 to pay. The daily rate is $15.

More detailed information about parking at BHCC is available on the student parking website.

BHCC Shuttle

The BHCC Charlestown – Chelsea Shuttle runs frequently between BHCC’s two main campuses 6 days per week. The shuttle is free with your BHCC ID. Check the shuttle schedule.