World City Guide

Getting Around

Public Transport
The Massachusetts Bay Transport Authority (MBTA), 10 Park Plaza (tel: (617) 222 5000 or (800) 392 6100; website: www.mbta.com ) operates four subway lines (blue, green, red, orange), which spread out from a central point at Park Street Station, at the northeast corner of Boston Common. The ‘T’, as the system is known, began in 1897 and is the oldest in the USA. The lines run Monday-Saturday 0500-0100 and Sunday 0520-0045.

MBTA also runs 13 commuter rail lines, five boat services and 170 bus routes. The public buses are cheaper and have many more stops than the subway but can be more difficult to orientate.

A single fare costs US$1 on the subway and US$0.75 on buses, with passes (Boston Visitor’s Passport) for one day (US$6), three days (US$11) and seven days (US$22) valid on both. Route maps are available at all stations.

Driving in the City
Boston is not on a simple grid plan, curving as it does to accommodate both the Charles River, running more or less west–east, and the coastline, running more or less north–south. To add to this, the ‘Big Dig’ is under construction. This is the most expensive tunnel-rebuilding project in America’s history and has resulted in most of the city’s central roads being continually re-routed, dug up, diverted and generally rendered difficult for the newcomer. Parking can be confusing with many areas having local residents’ rules and public parking lots being expensive. The underground portion of the ‘The Dig’ is now scheduled for completion around 2004, but whether or not it is finished on time remains to be seen.

A car is only necessary for locations outside the city. Much of the central part of Boston was built before cars and so lends itself to exploration on foot, and public transport in and around Boston is good and inexpensive.

Taxis
Taxis are plentiful and can be hailed on the street or reserved by telephone, but they are not cheap. All rides within the city are metered at US$1.75 for the first quarter-mile, then at US$1 for each subsequent half-mile. There is a US$5 extra charge for a station wagon or van request.

There are plenty of companies including: Bay State Taxi Service (tel: (617) 566 5000); City Cab (tel: (617) 536 5100); Green Cabs (tel: (617) 628 0600) and Metro Cab (tel: (617) 242 8000). Over the river in Cambridge, providers include: Ambassador Brattle Cab (tel: (617) 492 1100) and Star Taxi (tel: (617) 876 8888).

Water Taxis
An interesting way to get to know the inner city area is to use the water taxis, which run throughout the year both as commuter taxis and as ordinary water buses. City Water Taxi (tel: (617) 422 0392; website: www.citywatertaxi.com ) operates 10 waterfront stops (Mon-Sat 0700-2200, Sun 0700-2000), with all tickets at US$10. Shuttles run to Logan International Airport with Harbor Express (tel: (617) 222-6999; website: www.harborexpress.com ) from downtown, hull and Quincy Shipyard for US$12. From Quincy to Boston or Hull to Boston the one-way fare is US$5.

Limousines
Limousines are available from: Boston Private Car Inc (tel: (800) 546 6123, toll free in the USA and Canada; website: www.1800limo123.com ); The Limo (tel: (888) 290 0095, toll free in the USA and Canada; website: www.thelimoboston.com ); Ultimate Professional Livery Service (tel: (800) 439 4390 or (617) 437 8800; www.ultimatelivery.com).

Basic hourly rates start at US$50 not including extras, such as toll fees and a 20% tip for the driver.

Car Hire
Hire cars are available from Alamo (tel: (800) 462 5266; website: www.goalamo.com ); Avis (tel: (800) 331 1212; website: www.avis.com ); Budget (tel: (800) 527 0700; website: www.budget.com ); Dollar (tel: (800) 800 4000; website: www.dollar.com); Enterprise (tel: (800) 325 8007; website: www.enterprise.com ); Hertz (tel: (800) 654 3131; website: www.hertz.com); National (tel: (800) 227 7368; website: www.nationalcar.com ) and Thrifty (tel: (800) 367 2277; website: www.thrifty.com).

Most car hire companies require drivers to be over 25 years of age or impose surcharges. Basic daily rates begin at US$58 plus tax per day, and weekly rates at US$273 plus tax.

Bicycle Hire
Cycling on the city streets of Boston is not for the fainthearted. Only brave locals do so. There are scenic cycle paths, however, along the Charles River. Places to hire bicycles include: Community Bicycle, 496 Tremont (tel: (617) 542 8623; website: www.communitybicycle.com ) and Back Bay Bicycles, 336 Commonwealth Avenue (tel: (617) 247 2336; website: www.backbaybicycles.com ). Day rates are US$20 and two-hour hire costs around US$10.