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HomeAccessibility on the MBTATravel Instruction Services

Travel Instruction Services

MBTA employee pointing out map information to riders at travel training session

The MBTA offers a variety of free travel instruction services to help older adults and people with disabilities travel independently on the bus, train, and Commuter Rail. All services are available in person or digitally via Zoom upon request.

Travel Training Services

We offer three types of training to help travelers learn more about the following:

  • General safety on the system
  • Planning trips
  • Reading T schedules and maps
  • Boarding and exiting trains and buses
  • Buying regular or reduced fare CharlieCards
  • Customer and operator responsibilities
  • Accessing information about T services online and with apps

Transit Access 101

This two-and-a-half-hour class covers basics about how to use our system. It's held at the MBTA’s training facility near Broadway Station on the Red Line. Each class has room for 15 participants.

Upon request, this training can be held at schools or senior centers.

We offer two Transit Access 101 trainings—one for older adults and people with disabilities, and one for people who are blind or have low vision.

Small Group Training

Small group training is similar to Transit Access 101, but includes an onsite visit from a professional trainer.

Classes are flexible and can be customized to focus on getting to and from particular destinations on the bus, subway, or Commuter Rail.

Personalized Travel Training

This one-on-one training can be customized to teach an individual how to get to a particular destination within the MBTA service area.

Trainers travel directly to participants’ homes and ride along on actual trips.

Resources for Riders

Travel Training Flyers

View or download a summary of our Travel Instruction Program

View or download a summary of our Travel Instruction Program (Spanish)

Short Instructional Videos

Learn more about riding with the MBTA through the following informational videos from the System-Wide Accessibility team.

On-Demand Webinars

Learn more about the MBTA at your own pace.

Driving Retirement

Our riders can save over $5,000 per year in transportation costs by giving up driving their cars—but not giving up mobility—and riding the T. 

Graphic titled features a bus in left column and a car in right column. Public Transit includes cost of public transit on the T ($3,000 per year) includes MBTA senior monthly pass, COA van service (10 roundtrips), Uber/Lyft/taxi (10 roundtrips) and volunteer driver service. Operating cost of driving in metro Boston ($8,214 per year) includes fuel, maintenance, insurance, license, registration, tax, depreciation, and finance charges. Savings of $5,214 annually, or $425 per month.
Calculations are based on owning a medium-sized sedan and driving it 10,000 miles per year (Source: Your Driving Costs 2021, American Automobile Association) 

Download this flyer

View a text-only version of the flyer 

If you’re thinking about retiring from driving, the Shifting Gears webinar created by the Registry of Motor Vehicles can help you make a plan.

View the "Shifting Gears" webinar

Resources for Educators

If you are an educator interested in starting a travel training program at your own school or agency, view our collection of free downloadable resources:

View our travel training resources

Planning an Accessible MBTA Trip

Planning an Accessible MBTA Trip

 A member of the MBTA's System-Wide Accessibility team wearing a red hat, mask, and an apron that says Better Bus Project on the front, talks with a rider, also in a hat and mask, about the Bus Network Redesign project as they two stand outside at Quincy Center.
No matter what mode of transit you’re taking on the MBTA, you can contact us ahead of your trip to plan your route.

Learn more about accessible trips

Need Help Accessing This Service?

Rider being helped at the mobility center in front of a table with two computers

The Mobility Center, located in Boston at 1000 Massachusetts Ave, can help you plan trips, apply for reduced fare passes, sign up for The RIDE, and more.

Learn more about the Mobility Center

Contact Us

If you have questions or would like to learn more, please contact MBTA Travel Training at 617-337-2756 or howtotravel@mbta.com. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for training updates.

T Access Guides by Mode

customer boarding ferry using bridge plate

Much of the MBTA is accessible. Learn more about accessibility features on each mode of transit with our access guides.

Check out our access guides 

Planning an Accessible MBTA Trip

Planning an Accessible MBTA Trip

 A member of the MBTA's System-Wide Accessibility team wearing a red hat, mask, and an apron that says Better Bus Project on the front, talks with a rider, also in a hat and mask, about the Bus Network Redesign project as they two stand outside at Quincy Center.
No matter what mode of transit you’re taking on the MBTA, you can contact us ahead of your trip to plan your route.

Learn more about accessible trips

Need Help Accessing This Service?

Rider being helped at the mobility center in front of a table with two computers

The Mobility Center, located in Boston at 1000 Massachusetts Ave, can help you plan trips, apply for reduced fare passes, sign up for The RIDE, and more.

Learn more about the Mobility Center

T Access Guides by Mode

customer boarding ferry using bridge plate

Much of the MBTA is accessible. Learn more about accessibility features on each mode of transit with our access guides.

Check out our access guides