With March marking the newest two-year closure of Boston's Government Center T station and the four weekend lane restrictions on the Massachusetts Turnpike, transportation in the Boston area seems to be constantly changing. But here's what you need to know about Newton transportation in your area.
General Information
Newton, Massachusetts, City of the Thirteen Villages, is linked together by three modes of mass transit run by the MBTA: light rail, commuter rail, and bus service.
The Green line "D" branch (also known as the Riverside branch) is a light rail line running through the center of the city that makes frequent stops to downtown Boston, ranging from 10 to 30 minutes away. Click here for a detailed look at the D line.
The Green line "B" branch (also known as the Boston College branch) ends across from Boston College on Commonwealth Avenue, virtually across the Brighton neighborhood of Boston and the suburban village referred to as Chestnut Hill in Newton. Click here for a detailed look at the B line.
The MBTA Worcester commuter rail services the northern villages of Newton. It runs from every half-an-hour during peak times to every couple of hours otherwise. This option of public transportation offers less frequent service to Boston. Click here for a detailed look at the commuter rail.
There are several bus services throughout Newton. Some express buses go to downtown Boston via the Mass Pike and others go all the way to Waltham. To find a bus near you click here. Click here for a more details about bus services.
Local Fares
Subway Fares- travel anywhere on the Blue, Orange, Green, Red and part of the Silver line for the same price.
- $2.00 with CharlieCard
- $2.50 with a CharlieTicket or Cash-on-board
- $70 LinkPass- unlimited travel on Subway plus local bus
- For complete subway fare information, click here
Bus Fares
- $1.50 with a CharlieCard
- $2.00 with a CharlieTicket or Cash-on-board
- $48 Monthly bus pass
- $70 LinkPass-unlimited travel on Local Bus and Subway
- For complete bus fare information, click here
Commuter Rail Fares- depends on the distance traveled (zones)
- $2-$11 Zones 1A-10
- $70-$345 Monthly pass- unlimited travel to and from your zone plus travel on all bus, subway, and Inner Harbor Ferry
- 50% off Seniors and persons with disabilities
- For complete Commuter Rail fare information, click here
Amtrak and Airports
Newton is in close proximity to 5 Amtrak stations and 1 airport, all within 30 miles.
- 145 Dartmouth Street, Boston, MA 02110
- Amtrak Station Information
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Located 6.8 miles from Newton city center - Has a ticket office
- Handles checked baggage
- Luggage assistance available
- Wheelchair-accessible path available
- Public restrooms available
- Vending machine available
- Automated teller machines available
- Public transit connection available
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- 126 Causeway Street, Boston, MA 02114
- Amtrak Station Information
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Located 7.8 miles from Newton city center - Has a ticket office
- Does not handle checked baggage
- Luggage assistance not available
- Not wheelchair accessible
- No public restrooms available
- No food service facilities
- No automated teller machines available
- No public transit connection available
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- Atlantic Avenue & Summer Street Boston, MA 02110
- Amtrak Station Information
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Located 7.9 miles from Newton city center - Has a ticket office
- Handles checked baggage
- Luggage assistance available
- Wheelchair accessible
- Public restrooms available
- Full food service and snack bar
- Automated teller machines available
- Public transit connection available
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4. Framingham
- 443 Waverly Street, Framingham, MA 01701
- Amtrak Station Information
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Located 11.4 miles from Newton city center - Has no ticket office
- Does not handle checked baggage
- Luggage assistance not available
- Not wheelchair accessible
- No public restrooms available
- Snack bar available
- No automated teller machines available
- Public transit connection available
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5. Woburn
- 100 Atlantic Avenue, Woburn, MA 01801
- Amtrak Station Information
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Located 12.5 miles from Newton city center - Has a ticket office
- Does not handle checked baggage
- Luggage assistance not available
- Not wheelchair accessible
- No public restrooms available
- No food service facilities
- No automated teller machines available
- No public transit connection available
-
Logan International Airport
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1 Harborside Drive, Boston, MA 02120 - Click here for details
Statistics and Fun Facts
According to the Area Vibes website on Newton transportation, the average travel time to work in Newton is equal to the Massachusetts average (29 minutes) and 11.5% greater than the National average (26 minutes).
The number of people who take public transportation in Newton (12.3%) is 178.2% greater than the Massachusetts average (4.4%) and 565.7% greater than the National average (1.8%)
The number of people who carpool to work in Newton (6.9%) is 19.2% less than the Massachusetts average (8.5%) and 45.9% less than the National average (12.7%)
The "CharlieCard" electronic card-based fare system was named in tribute to the song "M.T.A", often called "The MTA Song" by Jacqueline Steiner and Bess Lomax Hawes. Written in 1949 and later recorded and released by the Kingston Trio in 1959, the song was about a man named Charlie trapped on the Boston's subway system, then known as the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA). The MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) held a dedication ceremony for the card system in 2004, which featured a performance of the song by the Kingston Trio and the then-governor Mitt Romney.
Click here for the lyrics of the song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7Jw_v3F_Q0