For Matt Berberich, commuting without a car is both practical and enjoyable. His daily routine combines public transportation, walking, and the Alewife TMA shuttle, giving him a flexible way to get to work while avoiding many of the costs and stresses that come with driving. From listening to music on the T to walking through the Alewife/Fresh Pond area, Matt’s commute reflects how car-free travel can become part of a reliable and rewarding way to get around! In this month’s Commuter Spotlight, Matt shares more about his work at Tasca Therapeutics, what led him to choose a car-free lifestyle, and the small moments that make his commute memorable! Our Interview with Matt Alewife TMA: Please tell us little about yourself. Matt: I currently work as a Senior Associate Scientist at Tasca Therapeutics, where I perform pre-clinical drug discovery and development research activities, specifically in the areas of Chemical Biology and Proteomics. I have been at Tasca for almost one year, and before that I worked at Flare Therapeutics and Frontier Medicines. I began my scientific career working in academic core labs. I’m originally from Shelton, Connecticut (home of the Wiffle Ball), and I have since lived in Connecticut, New York, Maryland, and Massachusetts. Over ten years ago, I moved to Cambridge and have really enjoyed the area. I frequently use the T to explore different neighborhoods in Boston, as well as the Commuter Rail to visit towns on the North Shore. I’m also an ice hockey fan, both college and NHL, and I use the Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament––the Frozen Four––as a reason to plan vacations throughout the country since it is held in a different city every year. A Multi-Modal Daily Commute Alewife TMA: How do you usually commute to work on a daily basis? Matt: I commute from Davis Square, so I first take the T to Alewife. If the weather is nice, I walk down Alewife Brook Parkway and Concord Avenue to West Cambridge Science Park. If there is inclement weather, I use the morning Alewife TMA shuttle. I use the same sequence returning home, which includes walking to Alewife Station if the weather is nice. Choosing a Car-Free Lifestyle Alewife TMA: What made you choose not to own a car, and how has that worked for you? Matt: I attended NYU for graduate school and had the opportunity to live in New York City without a car. With a reliable public transit system and walkable neighborhoods, I thoroughly enjoyed not having to worry about owning one. From that experience, I make it a priority to use public transportation whenever I can, either in the Boston area or when traveling. I can accomplish all my errands and shopping needs without a car, knowing that Zipcar, Uber, and Lyft are always options. However, when I am forced to drive, I honestly do not miss it. Between traffic, gas, insurance, and parking, I save a lot of time and money by not owning a car. What Makes the Commute Enjoyable Alewife TMA: What do you enjoy most about your commute? Matt: I enjoy being able to relax on the shuttle or the T, listen to some tunes, or enjoy the outdoors by taking a long walk. Alewife TMA: Is there a favorite spot in the Alewife/Fresh Pond area that you pass through on your commute? Matt: I enjoy watching the Commuter Rail trains on the Wachusett Line go rumbling by. Alewife TMA: Any fun or memorable commute story you’d like to share? Matt: I am always curious to see how many geese I need to avoid while walking to work. So far, they have not been a problem. Advice for Fellow Commuters Alewife TMA: Do you have a favorite tip or piece of advice for others who may be considering alternatives to driving alone? Matt: In addition to being able to read or listen to music while taking the shuttle, you can also meet some of your Science Park coworkers. Interactions between different companies can be hard to come by, but seeing a familiar face from your commute is great. Alewife TMA: If you were telling a coworker about Alewife TMA, what would you say does best? Matt: The shuttles are rarely late arriving or leaving, and they can make route adjustments if there is traffic. I highly recommend Alewife TMA shuttles as they have made my commute much easier and stress-free. Just for Fun Alewife TMA: If your commute had a theme song, what would it be and why? Matt: “Movin’ Right Along” by Kermit the Frog and Fozzie Bear. It has a good tempo, can be used ironically when sitting in traffic, and who doesn’t like The Muppets? ----- Matt’s car-free commute proves that getting to work does not have to involve traffic, parking, or sitting behind the wheel. With the T, walking, and the Alewife TMA shuttle service, his routine gives him time to relax, listen to music, enjoy the area, and connect with coworkers. And so far, despite the occasional goose encounter, the commute remains a success. ✨ Interested in being featured in a future Commuter Spotlight? Reach out to the Alewife TMA at director@alewifetma.org . We’d love to share your story.

With FIFA World Cup 26™ coming to the region, travel patterns across Greater Boston will look very different—especially on match days. While it’s exciting that the region will be part of a global sporting event, it will also bring noticeable changes to how people move through the transportation system. While games will be played at Gillette Stadium, the impacts won’t be limited to Foxborough. Alewife Station is expected to see increased activity from fans heading into Boston before continuing to the stadium. South Station will serve as the primary departure point for special event trains to Foxborough, bringing additional riders inbound from Alewife and surrounding communities. For regular commuters, this will likely mean fuller trains, more congestion in and around the station, and a commute that may take longer—or feel less predictable—than usual. As the transportation management association for the Alewife area, Alewife TMA is sharing what to expect and how to plan ahead as regional travel demand increases during FIFA World Cup 26™.

Alewife TMA is proud to introduce GoMassCommute , a smarter, more rewarding way to plan your commute, access valuable benefits, and earn rewards simply for getting to work. GoMassCommute is a collaborative effort among Transportation Management Associations (TMAs) across Massachusetts, and is supported with grant funding from MassDOT. As commuting patterns evolve and flexibility becomes more important than ever, GoMassCommute brings everything you need into one easy-to-use platform—whether you drive, take transit, carpool, vanpool, bike, walk, or work from home. But this isn’t just a trip planner. It’s a platform that actively supports better commuting choices— while rewarding you for making them.

Every commute has a story, and in Alewife TMA’s “Commuter Spotlight” series, we share about the commuters whose daily trips keep our community moving. This month, we caught up with Alexa Shier, a member of the People Operations team at Invaio Sciences, located at TMA member building 75 Moulton (The Quad) to learn more about her transit-and-shuttle commute from Somerville to Cambridge . . . proof that even a multi-step journey can have a few bright spots along the way. Alewife TMA: Please tell our readers a little about you. Where do you work and what do you do there? Alexa: I’m a member of the People Operations team at Invaio Sciences, an agricultural biotechnology company. I support initiatives that help create a positive employee experience. TMA: How do you commute to work daily? Alexa: My commute is definitely a journey! I live in Somerville and work in Cambridge, so each morning I take the Orange Line to Downtown Crossing, transfer to the Red Line, ride to Alewife, and then hop on the Alewife TMA Loop Shuttle that brings me to the office. It is definitely a multi-step process! 

In 2025, the Alewife TMA turned everyday commutes into meaningful impact, strengthening connections across the community. From expanded shuttle service and on-site commuter events to monthly challenges, bike support, and the first annual Stuff A Shuttle drive, the year was defined by collaboration and momentum. With new tools and programs launching in 2026, Alewife TMA is building on that energy to make sustainable commuting even easier and more rewarding.

Commuting through Alewife? Discover walkable coffee shops, breakfast, lunch, and after-work spots near Alewife Brook Parkway—no car needed.

Alewife TMA Commuter Spotlight: Sitaram Meena, PhD

No Red Line Service Between JFK/UMass & Braintree, Sep 6–29 Free Shuttle Buses: During the shutdown, free shuttle buses will make stops at Braintree, Quincy Adams, Quincy Center, Wollaston, North Quincy, and Ashmont. Commuter Rail will be FREE between Braintree and South Station: Use the Middleborough/Lakeville and Kingston lines for service from Braintree. Use the Middleborough/Lakeville, Kingston, and Greenbush lines for service from Quincy Center (except for during the weekend closures). MBTA personnel will be available to assist riders. Commuter Rail Weekend Closures: The weekends of September 7th–8th and 14th–15th Kingston, Middleborough, and Greenbush Commuter Rail service will be suspended between South Station and Braintree. Shuttles will run directly between South Staton and Braintree. At Quincy Center use Red Line Shuttle to Braintree to Connect to South Station. MBTA officials say once the track work is completed, it will improve round-trip Braintree Branch travel times by as much as 24 minutes, running service up to the maximum allowable speed of 40 miles per hour. For the latest information, we suggest the following resources: Visit camb.ma/redline for additional transit options during Red Line closures. Visit mbta.com/redline for the most up-to-date information during the closures. Visit mbtaclosures.com for information on all MBTA closures.

Beginning at 8:15 PM on Friday, July 12 through Sunday, July 28 there will be no Red Line trains running between Alewife Station and Kendall/MIT Station. The following options will be available: Free shuttle buses will make stops at all closed stations Express shuttle buses will stop at only Alewife, Porter, and Kendall/MIT A Shuttle Loop will operate from Harvard to Central to Kendall/MIT and back to Harvard. Free Commuter Rail between Porter Square and North Station plus an extra shuttle train (doubling Commuter Rail service) Five Free Bluebikes rides with code: MBTAREDJULY MBTA Bus #77 (Arlington Heights – Harvard) will be fare-free within Cambridge On weekdays evenings after 8:30 PM the closure will extend to Park Street (Boston) – no red line service between Alewife and Park Street Shuttle buses will stop at all stations between Alewife and Part Street. On Weekends: July 13-14 : the closure will extend to JFK/UMASS – no service between Alewife and JFK/UMASS July 20-21 : the closure will extend to Park Street (Boston) – no service between Alewife and Park Street July 27-28: the closure will extend to JFK/UMASS – no service between Alewife and JFK/UMASS  Shuttle buses will stop at all closed stations. Note : Riders needing to go beyond Park Street will need to transfer to another shuttle at Park Street to go on to JFK/UMASS. The Commuter Rail will be fare-free between Braintree, Quincy Center, JFK/UMass, and South Station. Regular fares should be purchased beyond Braintree. The important thing to keep in mind is that there will be shuttle buses at all locations where Red Line service is closed. There will be signage and MBTA staff to assist riders in getting where they need to go. Below are a few good resources to find the most up-to-date information. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns. For the latest information, we suggest the following resources: Visit camb.ma/redline for additional transit options during Red Line closures. Visit mbta.com/redline for the most up-to-date information during the closures. Visit mbtaclosures.com for information on all MBTA closures