All Aboard the Soccer Express

“Take the T” will be the common refrain throughout greater Boston this summer as thousands of fans stream into town to cheer on their teams at the FIFA World Cup soccer matches at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.

The T of course is the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA), the regional transit system that provides subway, bus, train and ferry service across eastern Massachusetts and parts of Rhode Island.

Soccer fans from around the globe will rely on the T to get from Logan Airport to downtown Boston and then to Gillette Stadium, which is being renamed Boston Stadium for World Cup matches.

Because the stadium is 23 miles from downtown Boston, the MBTA is amplifying its operations, logistics and communications to make the transit process go smoothly.

To accommodate the 60,000 fans attending each match, the MBTA has undertaken a $35 million construction project to renovate Foxboro Station. Improvement includes two platforms on each side of the tracks; a 600-foot-long temporary platform on the inbound/outbound tracks and a covered 800-foot long permanent one on the stadium side.’

The MBTA is also adding dedicated trains to supplement match day service.

“Massachusetts will be ready to provide best-in-class mass transit service for international travelers who plan to follow their teams throughout the tournament,” says MBTA General Manager Phil Eng. “We are focused on ensuring that everyone has a memorable experience, with hopes they come back to visit many more times in the future.”

Explore Boston Harbor by Ferry

Boston and surrounding cities and towns will be abuzz this summer, with thousands of visitors here not just for World Cup soccer, but also for America 250 celebrations and the Sail Boston promenade in Boston Harbor.

A fun way to explore greater Boston this summer is by hopping aboard an MBTA ferry in Boston Harbor, which operates seven days a week from May to October. The ferry service transports passengers along inner harbor stops at Long Wharf and Central Wharf at the New England Aquarium, Logan Airport in East Boston, Charlestown Navy Yard, and Seaport District in South Boston. It also goes to nearby cities and towns, including Winthrop and Lynn to the north, and Quincy, Hingham and Hull to the south.

Marina Bay in Quincy is one of the most popular stops on the route. There’s plenty of free parking for visitors who want to start from there, and the ride into Boston offers beautiful views of the Boston skyline and the stunning contours of Massachusetts Bay up and down the coast.

The newest addition to the ferry fleet is the Millennium boat operating out of Hingham. The 400-passenger catamaran has accessible boarding, main deck, restrooms and a galley with a snack bar. The largest boat in the fleet, Millennium has the system’s highest ridership since it’s a popular way for commuters to get to and from Boston.

“For tourists, the MBTA Ferry Service opens up a world of natural beauty and discovery on Boston Harbor from Lynn and Winthrop north of the city to Quincy, Hingham and Hull south of the city,” says GM Eng. “There is nothing like seeing all that Massachusetts has to offer from a water perspective that offers postcard imagery.” says MBTA GM Eng.

The MBTA Ferry Service gives visitors a perfect opportunity to explore greater Boston on land and water! 

mbta.com