New To Harvard
Welcome to Harvard!
Reducing congestion and greenhouse gas emissions are priorities at the University, and Transportation Services is here to help you figure out the best options to get to and from Harvard.
How do you plan to commute to campus?
Resources
Sign up for New Employee Orientation
Learn about your benefits package and meet with members of the CommuterChoice team.
Get Commute Planning Assistance
Trying to figure out the best ways to commute to and from Harvard? Let us help you! If you are commuting to the Cambridge or Allston campus, we'll provide a range of commute suggestions tailored to your specific needs.
Commute with Confidence
Reduce the stress of your commute with our supplemental transportation services. This program is designed to support you when an emergency arises however you travel.
Orientation Video
FAQ's
Transit
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), also known as the T, is comprised of subway, bus, commuter rail, ferry and paratransit service to eastern Massachusetts and parts of Rhode Island.
The MBTA lists all the subway, bus, commuter rail, ferry and paratransit routes at https://www.mbta.com/schedules. You can “plan your trip” by entering your home and work addresses and it will provide trip suggestions. The Transit app uses your current location to display transit lines closest to you and wayfinding assistance. You can also utilize CommuterChoice’s commute assistance tool to receive personalized commuting advice.
No, it typically takes new employees 1-2 days to gain access to the Jawnt portal. The deadline to order passes is the 7th of the prior month. New employees should allow 6-8 weeks from the start of their employment to receive their first transit product. You can not purchase a transit product while you have an annual parking permit.
New employees are not eligible to be reimbursed for their out of pocket commuting expenses while they are waiting for their subsidized pass to arrive. They should allow 6-8 weeks from the start of their employment to receive their first transit benefit product.
As a new benefits-eligible employee, you will not have immediate access to the subsidized transit ordering site. It typically takes new employees 1-2 days to gain access to the transit ordering portal.
While waiting for your subsidized pass, you will have to purchase transit passes on your own. Information on passes are available at https://www.mbta.com/fares. If you are commuting back and forth to work at least four times a week, a monthly pass is the most cost-effective option. You can purchase a mobile ticket for the Commuter Rail on the mTicket app, however, it will not include bus and subway access as compared to a physical Monthly Commuter Rail Pass CharlieTicket. You can purchase monthly Commuter rail passes at Porter Square, Back Bay, North Station and South Station. You can purchase a CharlieCard at the any MBTA kiosk, located in all subway stations and select bus stations.
The red line subway runs through Harvard Square, as well as bus routes 1, 66, 69, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 77, 78, 86, 96.
Bus routes 66, 70, and 86 run through Allston. The walk from Harvard Square to Allston is about 15-20 minutes, depending on pace.
You will need to log into your PeopleSoft account and update your address there. It will take 1-2 days to be reflected in Jawnt.
It typically takes new employees 1-2 days to access the Jawnt system. Try to log in at https://www.jawntpass.com/enroll/harvard 1-2 business days after you have set up your Harvard Key and HUID. If that doesn’t work, please allow a few extra days. If you are still having issues, please contact CommuterChoice and they can help you.
Benefits eligible faculty, staff and postdocs paid directly by Harvard and work at least 17.5 hours a week may purchase MBTA monthly passes for a 60% discount.
Biking
You can access an interactive online map for bike parking locations and recommended routes. We recommend those who park their personal bike on campus have it registered for free with Harvard University Police Department.
Harvard employees have access to a discounted Bluebikes membership with their Harvard email address. Download the Bluebikes app or visit https://member.bluebikes.com/map/ to find a station closest to your work location.
The bike benefit is a reimbursement program of up to $360/year for eligible bike-related expenses. Employees must not have a subsidized transit pass or parking permit during the months they are claiming the bike benefit. The submission period is during the late fall-early winter. More information can be found here.
Driving
Cambridge or Allston campus employees can purchase a one day permit ahead of your first day of work by accessing the self-service Online Daily Permit portal or visit the Parking Office located at the Smith Campus Center in the Campus Service Center on the 8th floor. The online system is highly recommended for its convenience and 24-hour availability. If you wish to purchase an annual pass, you can stop into the Campus Service Center on your first day of work.
If you work in the Longwood Medical Area, you can visit the Commuter Service and Parking Office at 180B Longwood Ave, Room 132, Boston, MA 02115 or call them at (617) 432-1111.
You can find information about all of the Harvard garages and lots available on the Cambridge and Allston campuses here.
As part of the Underutilized Parking Program, annual parking permits purchased for Peabody Terrace garage are discounted by 30%. Benefits-eligible employees can pay for their annual parking permits via pre-tax payroll deduction.
Benefits-eligible employees can receive 50-75% off their annual parking pass if they carpool with a benefits-eligible Harvard employee.
There are multiple parking facilities around Cambridge and Allston that support electric car charging stations. Anyone wishing to use one of the stations must first purchase an ECS permit.
Parking is especially limited in the Longwood Medical Campus (LMC). Please visit the HMS Parking and Commuter Services website for more information. For LMC commuting services, subsidies and advice, Harvard partners with MASCO (617-632-2800). Along with LMA shuttles that run between the LMC and Cambridge, MASCO offers CommuteWorks to help you find your best commute.
Harvard Shuttles
The Harvard Shuttle is an intercampus shuttle connecting the Cambridge and Allston campuses.
You can find real-time shuttle information at www.shuttle.harvard.edu or you can download the PassioGo! app.
The Longwood Collective operates the M2 shuttle, which connects the Harvard Medical School in the Longwood Medical Area (LMA) to Harvard Square (Lamont Library). Harvard affiliates have access to the M2 shuttle, and you must show your Harvard ID card to ride the M2 shuttle. Download the Transloc app for real-time shuttle tracking.