The MBTA and Alternative Carriers

For most employees, public transportation is the most efficient, economical way to commute to work. Short of bicycling, it’s the most-energy-efficient means of daily transportation—a way you can help reduce automobile emissions and protect our environment.  And by purchasing passes through the University, you can also save money.

Does Suffolk provide passes for faculty and staff?

Employees can purchase MBTA Passes, Charlie Cards, and passes on alternative carriers and vanpools through payroll deduction.

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Can I save money on passes purchased through the University?

The University offers a Transit Program to help employees pay for commuting expenses on a pre-tax basis. Employees save money on the cost of the pass because the purchase is made with pre-tax deductions on the first $110 per month.

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Are other MBTA Pass options available?

Monthly passes for unlimited rides are available on campus on the last 3 and first 3 weekdays of each month.

• Suffolk University Bookstore, 148 Cambridge Street (cash only)
• Suffolk University Law School Bookstore, 120 Tremont Street (cash only)

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Is there a way to save on parking if I have to drive to the T?

Employees can pay for off-site parking, including MBTA lots and garages on a pre-tax basis, even when those lots don’t offer receipts, through the University’s Transit Program.

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Which MBTA stops are closest to the campus?

The closest MBTA Rapid Transit stops:

• Blue Line:  Government Center
• Green Line:  Park Street
• Red Line:  Park Street
• Silver Line: Temple Place

The closest MBTA Bus Stops:

• Route 43 (Ruggles-Park and Tremont streets).  This bus stops across from the Massachusetts State House, two blocks from Suffolk.
• Route 55 (Queensberry-Park Street): This bus stops across from the Massachusetts State House, two blocks from Suffolk.
• Routes 352 (Burlington), 354 (Woburn), and 355 (Woburn and Medford) stop at the State street T stop (Orange, Blue, and Red lines), about three blocks from Suffolk.
• Routes 92 and 93 (Charlestown-Downtown Crossing) stop on Washington Street three blocks from Suffolk.
• More than ten bus lines stop at the Haymarket Bus Terminal (on the Orange and Green lines) about five blocks from Suffolk.

Commuter Rail—Suffolk is within easy walking distance of both commuter rail stations:

• North Station
• South Station

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Where can I get schedule and route information?

Current schedules, route planning tips and information about buying passes at T stations are available at http://www.mbta.com/

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If I am called home for an emergency, how do I get home if I use public transportation?

Suffolk participates in the MassRIDES’ Emergency Ride Home (ERH) program.  This program is open to those commuting by transit, carpool, vanpool, bike, or on foot at least two times a week.  The program guarantees a ride home to those enrolled and will reimburse you to take a train, taxi, or rental car home in a emergency.  Employees must enroll in the program prior to an emergency use.  To enroll in the program download the ERH Program Registration Form or call Human Resources at 8415 for the form.

Mass Rides defines an emergency as an unexpected personal illness/emergency, unexpected family illness/emergency, unscheduled overtime at the supervisor’s request, carpool driver emergency.  An employee needing to take transit, taxi or rental car home, to the child’s school or day care, a medical facility or to his/her vehicle (if parked at a transit station, park and ride lot) will be reimbursed for the cost by Mass Rides.  Mass Rides approves up to four such trips per year.

The employee must pay for the trip, but will be reimbursed.  To be reimbursed, the employee must bring the receipt to the Suffolk ERH Coordinator (Human Resources Office).  The employee must complete a Trip Summary form available from Human Resources and submit the form and the receipt to MassRides within two weeks.  Mass Rides will reimburse for the cost of the trip less taxi gratuity, rental car taxes, insurance and fuel costs. 

Mass Rides does have some rules for the mode of transportation which will be reimbursed.  Mass Rides reimburses for public transit if it is available within 30 minutes of the emergency; for taxi if the trip is less than 20 miles away, any time if the employee is too ill to drive or take transit, all trips after 5:00 pm; or for rental car if the trip is more than 20 miles away and if it is before 5:00 pm.

Go to MassRIDES’ Web site at http://www.commute.com/ and click on “ERH Program” for more information.

Edwin Dillaby (edillaby@suffolk.edu) is the coordinator of Suffolk’s ERH Program.

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