Winter Weather Travel Guide

Get up-to-the-minute service changes delivered via email or text with T-Alerts.

Check our winter weather page during storms for active service changes.

See system-wide service changes

Or, see all service alerts for every mode in one place. 

See all T alerts

Check us on social media for live service notices. 

Follow @MBTA

Follow @MBTA_CR

Before, during, and after storms, Customer Support is available to answer your questions.

• Call 617-222-3200
• TTY 617-222-5146
• Contact Customer Support online

Extreme cold, heavy snow, and ice can impact train service during storms. Routes that run at street level, like the Green Line and Mattapan Trolley, are more likely to be delayed.

While our crews and staff work to clear snow and ice, we may run trains at reduced schedules or slower speeds. This is safer for everyone and prevents damage to trains and equipment.

On rare occasions, service may be suspended or replaced with shuttle buses.

All delays and schedule changes are detailed in system alerts, available on our website, on Twitter, and via text or email.

See all Subway alerts

Did you know? We use a lot of different equipment to keep stations and tracks clear, including the jet-powered Snowzilla. We also have heaters along Red and Orange Line tracks and special de-icing trains for all subway lines.

Storm Schedules

Bus service may operate on reduced schedules or adjusted routes due to snow or ice. For the safety of customers and staff, buses may operate at reduced speeds.

During a storm, buses will run on either of the following schedules:

Regular Schedule: Buses operating with normal service.

Storm Schedule: Buses operating with reduced service, similar to Saturday service.

Schedules are adjusted on a route-by-route basis.

Snow Routes

Some buses run on alternate routes to avoid narrow streets and steep hills. If your bus operates with a snow route, it is indicated on the PDF schedule, which is available on our website or from your bus driver. 

See all snow routes

Schedule and Route Alerts

All route and schedule variations are detailed in all system alerts, available on our website, on Twitter, and via text or email. 

See all bus alerts

Stop Shoveling

The MBTA is responsible for clearing snow and ice from stops on 15 key bus routes and the Silver Line within 24 hours after snowfall ends. Municipalities are responsible for clearing all other stops. 

You can report an uncleared bus stop to the MBTA or the municipality responsible for the stop. 

Report an unshoveled bus stop

Did you know? If you regularly ride any of the 15 key bus routes or the Silver Line, and you sign up for T-Alerts, we’ll send you an “All Clear” message when all the stops along your route have been shoveled. 

Service on the Commuter Rail may be impacted by extreme cold, heavy snow, and ice. Sometimes, service may be disrupted if tree limbs or electric wires fall on the tracks.

During and immediately after severe weather, trains will operate on one of the following schedule types: 

Regular Schedule: Trains operating with normal service.

Storm Schedule: Trains operating with modified service. Storm schedules are available on each Commuter Rail line page, and from staff at North, South, and Back Bay stations.

No Service: Service suspended. This happens on rare occasions.

All schedule changes are detailed in system alerts, available on our website, on Twitter, and via text or email.

Check Commuter Rail service alerts

Did you know? During extreme weather, we deploy as many as 450 crew members to clear Commuter Rail tracks and stations. Crews use a variety of equipment, including a snow plow train and the jet-powered Snowzilla.

Ferry service may be suspended or delayed in the event of snow, ice, or wind.

If you usually take the ferry to downtown Boston, try one of these alternate routes:

• Hingham: Red Line to 220 bus or the Greenbush Line
• Hull: Red Line to 220 bus to 714 bus
• Logan Airport: Blue Line, SL1, or SL3
• Charlestown: 93 bus

Winter weather may impact driving conditions, and drivers may not be able to access locations that aren’t shoveled or plowed. 

Before and during storms, you can call The RIDE Access Center (TRAC) for information about delays or cancellations for any trips you have scheduled.

Contact The RIDE Access Center

During and after storms, crews work to keep MBTA parking lots clear. Sometimes, large snow banks may reduce the number of spaces available. Cars parked outside of designated spaces or left overnight maybe ticketed or towed.

You can check parking availability at popular lots and garages on Twitter, @MBTA_Parking.

If you have concerns about snow or ice at any of our facilities, please contact Customer Support.

Learn more about winter parking policies

Arlington

• Route 77 to Porter Square, transfer to Fitchburg Line
• Route 80 or 87 to Lechmere, transfer to the Green Line

Somerville

• From Davis:
  • Route 89 to Sullivan, transfer to Route 93 or the Orange Line
  • Route 87 or 88 to Lechmere, transfer to the Green Line
• From Porter:
  • Fitchburg Line to North Station

Cambridge

• Route 47, 66, 69, or CT2, connect to the Green Line
• Route 86 to Sullivan Square, transfer to the Orange Line
• Route 1, connect to Green Line at Hynes Convention Center or Orange Line at Massachusetts Ave

South Boston

• Route 7, 9, 10, or 11 to Boston

Braintree/Quincy

• From Braintree: Kingston/Plymouth Line to South Station
• From Quincy Center:
  • Greenbush Line to South Station
  • Route 210, 215, or 217 to Fields Corner or Ashmont, transfer to the Red Line

Mattapan/Dorchester

• From Mattapan: Route 28, 29, or 31, connect to the Orange Line
• From Ashmont: Route 21, 22, or 23, connect to the Orange Line
• From Dorchester: Fairmount Line from Four Corners/Geneva to South Station

Melrose/Malden

• From Malden Center: Haverhill Line to North Station
• Route 411 to Wonderland, transfer to the Blue Line
• Route 97 or 99 to Wellington, transfer to the Orange Line
• Route 104 or 105 to Sullivan, transfer to Route 93 or the Orange Line

Medford/Somerville

• From Wellington:
  • Route 110 to Wonderland, transfer to the Blue Line
  • Route 112 to Chelsea, transfer to Newburyport/Rockport Line or SL3
• From Sullivan Square: Route 92 or 93 to Downtown Boston

Roxbury/Jamaica Plain

• From Forest Hills:
  • Route 39 to Back Bay
  • Needham Line from Forest Hills or Ruggles to South Station
  • SL4 or SL5 to downtown Boston

Allston/Brighton

• Route 57 to Kenmore, transfer to the Green Line

Brookline

• Route 65 to Kenmore, transfer to the Green Line

Newton

• Route 59 to Needham Heights, transfer to Needham Line
• Route 558 to downtown Boston (weekdays only)
• Route 60 to Kenmore, transfer to the Green Line

Mission Hill

• Route 39 to Back Bay

Revere

• From Revere: Route 110 to Wellington, transfer to Orange Line

East Boston/Logan Airport

• From the airport:
  • SL1 from any terminal to South Station
  • Massport Shuttle to Airport Station, transfer to SL3 to South Station
  • SL3 from Airport to South Station

If your normal Commuter Rail route is suspended and you need to travel into the city, please use our Trip Planner to plan an alternate route. 

Plan a Trip

Charlestown

• Route 92 or 93 to downtown Boston

Hingham/Hull

• From Pemberton Point: Route 714 to Hingham Depot
• From Hingham Depot: Route 220 to Quincy Center, transfer to Red Line