MBTA Service Changes with the Most Impact on Cambridge
Dec 22, 2020

The Alewife TMA has compiled a summary of the MBTA service cuts that were approved by the MBTA's Fiscal Management and Control Board (FMCB) on December  14, 2020. The reductions are being made based on an 80% drop in ridership due to the pandemic. Although these cuts are not as severe as originally proposed by the MBTA in early November, they are significant. According to the MBTA, most of theses changes are not intended to be permanent and they will resume service as demand increases and there is revenue and funding to support it.

Below are the service changes that will have the most impact on Cambridge, MA.

The full list of changes, system wide, can be found at https://www.mbta.com/forging-ahead


Cambridge bus routes to be suspended effective March 2021:

  • 68 - Harvard Square to MIT/Kendal Station
  • 72 – Aberdeen Avenue to Harvard Station
  • 79 – Arlington Heights to Alewife Station
  • 80 - Arlington Center to Lechmere Station
  • 351 – Oak Park/Bedford Woods to Alewife Station


Cambridge bus route to be consolidated effective March 2021:

  • Consolidate Routes 78 and 84 (Arlmont Village to Harvard Station and Arlmont Village to Alewife Station)
  • Consolidate Routes 62 & 76 (Bedford VA Hospital to Alewife Station and Hanscom Air Force Base to Alewife Station)


Cambridge bus routes with 20% reduction in frequency effective Spring 2021:

  • 70 - Waltham Center to University Park
  • 71 - Watertown Square - Harvard Station
  • 73 - Waverley Square - Harvard Station
  • 74 - Belmont Center - Harvard via Concord Avenue
  • 75 - Belmont Center - Harvard via Huron Avenue
  • 77 - Arlington Heights - Harvard Station
  • 78 - Arlmont Village - Harvard Station
  • 87 - Clarendon Hill or Arlington Center - Lechmere Station
  • 96 - Medford Square - Harvard Station
  • 350 - North Burlington - Alewife Station


Cambridge bus routes with 5% reduction in frequency effective Spring 2021:

  • 1 – Harvard Square to Nubian Station
  • 47 - Central Square, Cambridge - Broadway Station
  • 66 – Harvard Square to Nubian Station
  • 83 - Rindge Avenue - Central Square
  • 85 - Spring Hill - Kendall/MIT Station
  • 86 - Sullivan Square Station - Reservoir Station
  • 91 - Sullivan Square Station - Central Square, Cambridge
  • CT2 - Sullivan Square Station - Ruggles Station


Subway - effective March 2021:

Frequency will be reduced by 20% on the Red, Green and Orange lines - this means that during peak travel, the wait time between trains will increase to 5 ½ minutes from the current 4 ½ minutes. Frequency on the blue line will be reduced by 5%.


Commuter Rail - changes starting as early as January 2021:

Service on all commuter rail lines will be reduced. On weekdays, service will be end at 9 pm. In January, weekend service will be suspended the Fitchburg Line serving Belmont and the Lowell Line serving West Medford. Five stations (none in the greater Boston area) will close due to low ridership and available alternatives.


The Ferry - changes starting as early as January 2021:

Charlestown service will be suspended. Direct service Boston-Hingham will be suspended. Hingham/Hull service will be reduced.


The Ride - effective Spring 2021:

Some trips will need to be booked 40 minutes ahead of time vs. the current 30 minutes. In addition, some RIDE trips may become premium trips, though the RIDE service boundaries would not change, and the premium service hours will be adjusted to match Commuter Rail hours of operation. These changes are expected to become effective in spring.

Search Your Best Transportation Options with eCommuter.org

Commuters of the Alewife TMA can use Commute Match on eCommuter to explore all their transportation options in one place. Commute Match is a flexible tool that helps you to design a commute that best meets your needs and schedule. Find others who live and work nearby that also want to share the ride to work. 


Use Commute Match to search for:

  • carpool partners
  • vanpool groups
  • nearby park-n-rides
  • bike buddies
  • public transit trip planning
  • bike route planning
Register/Login to Get Started
02 May, 2024
Get Ready to Ride: Bike Month is Here! Spring is in full bloom! The days are longer, tulips are popping up, and if you have allergies, you might be sneezing a bit more. But there's good news for cyclists: the warmer weather means it's time to get back on the road. May is National Bike Month , and there's plenty to be excited about for bike enthusiasts in Massachusetts. What is Bike Month? National Bike Month , established in 1956, is all about celebrating the joy of cycling, promoting its health benefits, and encouraging more people to give it a try. A key part of this celebration is Bike to Work Week, which falls in the third week of May, with Bike to Work Day on the Friday of that week. This year, Bike to Work Week is from May 13 to 19, with Bike to Work Day on May 17. What's Happening in Massachusetts for Bike Month? Massachusetts is a great place to be if you love biking, and Bay State Bike Month , hosted by MassBike , has a full schedule of events to keep you moving. If you're looking for group rides or ways to get involved, this is your go-to resource.
21 Feb, 2024
We all know the question, “what’s in it for me?” It’s the eternal quandary that all marketers are on a mission to answer. If they can explain what’s in for me to do or buy something, their job is done. But what if we rolled that question on its head and asked, “what’s in it for you, and me, and even them? When it comes to a green or sustainable commute, there happens to be a LOT it in for you, me, your neighbor and the person who sits across from you on the T. For you, it’s more convenient and economical way to commute. For your neighbor or the person across from you on the T, you are helping the environment and reducing traffic congestion by using a sustainable travel mode and NOT driving alone in a car. For that action, we at the Alewife TMA believe you should be rewarded.
29 Jan, 2024
Thank you to our members, partners, and green commuters who collectively made 2023 an excellent year for the Alewife TMA! Together, we celebrate the progress made towards sustainability in the Alewife & Fresh Pond area. Please take a moment to view our 2023 Recap which highlights the impact of the past year, We look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts in transforming our region into a space where multimodal transportations options are available for everyone.
mechanic next to car, text: Winter Car Maintenance and Safety Tips with Luis
By TransAction Associates 04 Jan, 2024
It's officially winter! Are you ready for the snow and ice? Is your car ready? Join Luis Mejia, Fleet Mechanic at TransAction Associates & Corporate Shuttles, as he shares some winter car maintenance and safety tips.
07 Dec, 2023
The Alewife TMA was thrilled to meet with Erin Shields of Longfellow to discuss Longfellow's dedication to environmental sustainability and the value of TMA membership for the tenants and employees at 100/125/150 Cambridgepark Drive.
By TransAction Associates 26 Oct, 2023
World Car-Free Day 2023 was a huge success! Organized in a variety of ways around the globe, every event shared the unifying goal of reducing the number of cars on the road. The Alewife TMA participated in MassCommute's 2023 Car-Free Day, the Commonwealth’s Coalition of 15 TMAs to promote and celebrate Car-Free Day in Massachusetts. Commuters who participated helped to make a positive impact on the environment and contributed to a greener Bay State!
17 Oct, 2023
The Alewife TMA recently began an effort to get to know the commuters behind the programs and services that we provide. We recently sat down with Chris Dimitri , a bicycle commuter who regularly participates in the TMA’s monthly commuter challenges, to learn more about him and his commute.
28 Aug, 2023
Car Free, way to be! Now, we know that completely ditching your car may not be the way to go for most people, but how about pledging to keep your car at home for one day this month? That’s right, September 22nd is World Car Free Day and cities, towns, and organizations around the world are planning creative programs to commemorate it. Why? Because they all share the same goal of reducing the number of cars on the roads to realize the benefits of reduced congestion where we work, live and play. In the Washington, DC metro area, Commuter Connections is hosting an area-wide Car Free Day pledge , where commuters from counties spanning north of Silver Spring, MD to south of Alexandria, VA can take a pledge to leave their car at home on September 22, 2023 and choose to commute a different way either via transit, walking, biking, carpooling or shuttle; or by choosing to telecommute and not commute at all. In Tampa, FL, the city will celebrate Car Free Day for the first time this year by closing off car traffic in three neighborhoods and hosting street hockey tournaments, farmers markets, food trucks and public art installations in those areas instead. Similar events will take place in Vancouver, Seattle, and Jakarta to name a few. 
10 Jul, 2023
Incorporating walking into your commuting schedule will have a positive impact on your personal well-being. According to prevention , the health benefits of walking are endless, and experts agree that by adding walking to your daily routine, you can greatly improve your physical and mental health.
27 Jun, 2023
Alewife TMA's Member Spotlight Property - Cambridge Discovery Park Real Estate Developer & Operator - The Bulfinch Companies, Inc. Interview with George Kassas, Senior Associate and Property Manager June 2023 
Show More
Share by: