These past few weeks, Boston transportation has seen lots of changes. First it was the closure of the Boston Government Center T station, then it was the 4-weekend lane restrictions on the Massachusetts Turnpike, and now there is the beginning of the newest MBTA Late Night Service. With all these new adjustments, here's what you need to know about Brookline public transportation.
General Information
The MBTA provides light rail transit service in the town of Brookline on the C and D lines as well as several buses.
Light Rail Services
- The Green line "C" Branch (also known as the Cleveland Circle branch) travels through Brookline along Beacon Street from Cleveland Circle to St. Mary's Street with 12 stops along the way. Click here for a more detailed look at the C line.
- The Green line "D" Branch (also known as the Riverside branch) travels through Brookline from the Reservoir Station near Cleveland Circle to Chapel Street in the Longwood Medical area. There are 5 stations or stops for Brookline residents on the D line. Click here for a more detailed look at the D line.
- Although not located in Brookline, the Green line "B" Branch (also known as the Bosotn College Branch) is accessible to residents living in North Brookline. Click here for a more detailed look at the B line.
Bus Services
- The 51 bus travels between Forest Hills and Cleveland Circle along Grove Street, Newton Street, Clyde Street, Lee Street, and Chestnut Hill Avenue.
- The 60 bus route begins at the Chestnut Hill Mall and travels on Boylston Street (Route 9) and Cypress Street to Brookline Village and Kenmore Station in Boston.
- The 65 bus connects Brighton Center and Kenmore Square with service through the Brookline Village and Washington Square commercial areas over Brookline Avenue and Washington Street.
- The 66 bus travels through Brookline Village and Coolidge Corner on its way from Dudley Station in Boston to Harvard Square in Cambridge.
- To find a bus near you, click here.
- Click here for a more details about bus services.
Hubway
- Brookline is also proud to participate in the Greater Boston area bike share program called Hubway.
- For more information, visit their website.
Local Fares
Subway Fares- travel anywhere on the Blue, Orange, Red, and part of the Silver line for the same price
- $2.00 with CharlieCard
- $2.50 with a Charlie Ticket 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 Charlie Card
- $2.00 with a CharlieTicket or Cash-on-board
- $40 Monthly bus pass
- $70 LinkPass- unlimited travel on Local Bus and Subway
- For complete bus fare information, click here
Amtrak and Airports
Brookline is close in proximity to 3 Amtrak stations and 1 airport
- 145 Dartmouth Street, Boston, MA 02110
- Amtrak Station Information
- 126 Causeway Street, Boston, MA 02114
- Amtrak Station Information
- Atlantic Avenue & Summer Street Boston, MA 02110
- Amtrak Station Information
Logan International Airport
-
1 Harborside Drive, Boston, MA 02120
- Click here for details
Statistics, Fun Facts, and Some History
According Area Vibes website on Brookline transportation, the average time travel to work in Brookline is 6.9% greater than the Massachusetts average (29 minutes) and 19.2% greater than the National average (26 minutes).
The number of people who take public transportation in Brookline (28.7%) is 548.9% greater than the Massachusetts average (4.4%) and 1452.9% greater than the National average (1.8%).
The number of people who carpool to work in Brookline (7.2%) is 15.7% less than the Massachusetts average (8.5%) and 43.6% less than the National average.
Brookline Village was the original center of retail activity, with two branches of upper Boston Pst Road, established in the 1670s, passing through it.
Steam railroads came to Brookline in the middle of the 19th century, with the Boston and Worcester Railroad constructed in the early 1830s passing through Brookline near the Charles River. The rail line is still in active use today.
The Highland Branch of the Boston and Albany Railroad was built from Kenmore Square to Brookline Village in 1847 and was extended into Newton in 1852. This branch, in the late 1950s, would become the Green Line "D" Branch, Riverside.
The portion of Beacon Street west of Kenmore Square was laid out in 1850, and in 1888 Streetcar tracks were laid above ground on Beacon Street from Coolidge Corner to Massachusetts Avenue in Boston. In 1889 they were electrified and extended over the Brighton border at Cleveland Circle, and eventually they became the Green Line "C" Branch, Cleveland Circle.