Take The T On The 4th

MBTA TO ADD MORE SERVICE ON JULY 4TH
NO SUBWAY AND BUS FARES AFTER 10:30 P.M.

Working to promote public transportation and provide travelers to the Esplanade with a transportation alternative on Wednesday, July 4th, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority announced that bus and subway fares would not be collected from 10:30 p.m. to the end of service on July 4th. Regular fare collection will take place on all other modes of MBTA services.

“July 4th is one of Boston’s most attended events on the Esplanade and most busiest holiday for the T,” said MBTA General Manager Daniel A. Grabauskas. “Our goal is to ensure people have easy and safe access to the T before, and more importantly after the festivities when crowds pour into the system to their destinations. As always we are prepared for the 4th and encourage people to take public transportation to one of the most attended events of the year.”

The frequency of service on the subway system will be increased, and extra station personnel and MBTA Transit Police officers will be deployed throughout the entire transit system.

The following is the MBTA’s operating schedule for Wednesday, July 4th.

· Blue, Green, Orange, and Red Lines will operate on an enhanced schedule providing extra service for customers heading to and from the Esplanade.

· Commuter rail trains will operate on a Saturday schedule with all of the last trains, but one, departing at 11:45 p.m. (approximately 45 minutes after the fireworks display ends).

The sole exception is Train #1173 to Newburyport*, which will depart North Station at 11:15 pm.

Leaving North Station

*Fitchburg - Train 1415 will depart 15 minutes later at 11:45 pm
*Haverhill - Train 1225 will depart 15 minutes later at 11:45 pm

*Lowell - Train 1315 will depart 15 minutes later at 11:45 pm

*Newburyport - Train 1173 will depart 1 hour later at 11:15 pm
*Rockport - Train 1125 will depart 15 minutes later at 11:45 pm

Leaving South Station

*Franklin/Forge Park - Train 1719 will depart 25 minutes later at 11:45 pm
*Kingston - Train 1043 will depart 65 minutes later at 11:45 pm

*Middleboro - Train 1015 wil depart 15 minutes later at 11:45 pm
*Needham - Train 1617 will depart one hour later at 11:45 pm
*South Attleboro - Train 1817 will depart 35 minutes later at 11:45 pm
*Worcester - Train P567 will depart 45 minutes later at 11:45 pm

Bus service will operate on a Sunday schedule with extra bus service on key routes serving the Esplanade area:

Route #39 (Forest Hills Station -- Back Bay Station via Copley Square)
Route #57 (Watertown Square -- Kenmore Station via Brighton Center)

· Special express bus service between Arlington and Riverside Stations. This service will supplement Green Line service at the end of the fireworks display.

Special RIDE shuttle vans will be available to carry persons with disabilities between the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Hospital, Lot #2 (accessed from Leverett Circle near the Charles Street ramp) and the Esplanade. This service will start at 7:00 a.m. and run through 6:00 p.m. for transportation to the seating area reserved for persons with disabilities. Return service will be available at the conclusion of the event. Note: There will be no extra charge for this shuttle, nor will there be any fare charged for service as customers depart the Esplanade.
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WATER TRANSPORTATION

· Hingham commuter boat will not operate
· Hull Commuter boat will not operate
· Quincy commuter boat services to Long Wharf and Logan Airport will operate on a Sunday schedule.
· The Charlestown Navy Yard to Long Wharf water shuttle will operate on a weekend service schedule.