5 THINGS I WISH I HAD KNOWN ABOUT GETTING AROUND BOSTON

When I started commuting to UMass Boston, I was waking up at 5am for a class that started at 8am. It was really stressful and not comfortable. I bet a lot of students out there have had the same or similar problem. If you've ever felt that there is a better way, check out the post below:

1. There is an App that will show you where the next bus or train is!

Download the app on your iPhone or android.

More MBTA info:

Train: $2.25 per trip with a Charlie card and $2.75 without one. You could just search for the closest train station and the time the next train to your destination leaves. You could also download the Transit app for easy tracking
Bus: $1.25. The Transit app also works for buses.
Commuter rail: The price varies depending on where you are going to. Guess what...the Transit app works here too.

2. You don't need to have a car and it will save a lot of money if you don't

Zipcar: They have cars parked at different locations. There's a spot at UMass Boston . You need to be a member to book a car and you also get a student discount as a UMass Boston student. They do have free gas and also you could rent a car hourly or daily.
Enterprise: You just have to go to their office and book a car, you don’t have to be a member to book with them, but definitely you get discounts as a member.
Hertz: You also have to just go to their office to book a car being a member isn’t necessary, but you will always get a discount as a member.
Getaround: "Find, rent, and unlock cars in your neighborhood." You could rent the car hourly or daily, it’s all up to you.
Turo: This is not like the typical rental car. With this, you can rent a neighbor's car AND you could also put your car out for rent and make some $ off of it. Mostly if you know that you will be in school four days a week, why keep the car idol while you could make money out of it.
Taxi: you know what this is just the car you see around that TAXI is written on them.
Uber and Lyft: With these, you can see the exact cost of the trip before you get in the car and can be more convenient way to get around. All you have to do is to download the app, put in your current location and your destination and the cost of the trip will be given to you. This way you know if you want to go ahead with it.

*For services like Uber and Lyft...REMEMBER:

Tell the driver your desired destination and know if he/she is willing to go
Make sure you are aware of you surroundings and that they know the best route
Try not to sleep
Check driver’s ratings
Confirm the driver’s name
Match the license plate with the car that comes to pick you up

3. As a student you can get discounts on public transportation

You can get a discount of 11% through the office of student activities and leadership for public transportation. AND you can get a discount for the commuter rail if you you download the app and sign up with you student ID (iPhone or android).

4. Don't forget your #OffCampusSurvivalKit

umbrella
sweater
headphones
portable charger( power bank)
app that show delay and next train/bus.
something to do if you are bored or if there is a delay (homework? game? which)
snack (also in case there is a delay)

5. You don't have to buy a bike

You can buy a used bike on Craigslist or use Hubway (there is a Hubway stop out front of the Integrated Science building). Also...

BIKING IN BOSTON IS DANGEROUS! So if you do bike, remember the follow:

Wear a helmet
Practice defensive biking
always imagine that drivers are out to get you (even if they aren't)

*The city of Boston has it's own biker safety website.

*** go to our website for more about getting around

Hope this helped!