Questions
Q. Is Boston College accessible via public transportation?
Q. How long is the trip from the Boston College campus to the City of Boston?
Q. Do I need a car as a graduate student?
Q. Is there parking on campus for graduate students?
Q. Is the campus handicap accessible?
Q. What information do I need about off-campus parking?
Q. How do I obtain a resident parking permit for the City of Boston?
Questions & Answers
Q. Is Boston College accessible via public transportation?
Yes, the MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) runs the subway and street car system in Boston and the Commuter Rail lines that come into North and South Stations. The Greenline serves downtown Boston and four areas:
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Boston College Branch (B Train)
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Cleveland Circle Branch (C Train)
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Riverside Branch (D Train)
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Heath Street Branch (E Train)
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Q. How long is the trip from the Boston College campus to the City of Boston?
By car it takes about 15-25 minutes to travel from Boston College to Kenmore Square. This depends very highly upon the traffic and time of day. There are also various routes of public transit that can be used to get to and from Boston College. The MBTA Green "B" Line travels down the long and winding Commonwealth Ave., making 19 stops on its way to Kenmore Square. This can take anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes, also depending on the time of day (by bus: 15-30 minutes, by foot: 40 minutes). You can also catch the Green "C" Line in Cleveland Circle, which makes 13 quick stops along the scenic, tree lined Beacon St. before reaching Kenmore Square. Faster still is the Green "D" Line, which you can pick up in Cleveland Circle as well. It only makes 6 stops to the same location, usually taking 20 minutes or less. There are also various bus routes located close to the campus that can bring you to other parts of the Boston Metro area such as Harvard Square.
Boston College is within walking distance (approximately one mile) of the Chestnut Hill and Reservoir stops on the Green Line (D) and the Cleveland Circle stop on the Green Line (C).
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Q. Do I need a car as a graduate student?
The MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) runs the subway and street car system in Boston and the Commuter Rail lines that come into North and South Stations. Boston College is within walking distance (approximately one mile) of the Chestnut Hill and Reservoir stops on the Green Line (D) and the Cleveland Circle stop on the Green Line (C).
Zipcar and Boston College have joined forces to give you easy access to Zipcars all over the city including one new car right here on campus and 7 cars near campus! Drive cars by the hour or the day, ($9/hour and $68/day) hassle-free. Gas, maintenance, insurance and parking are included. Use them for errands, golf, events, shopping, or quick road trips anytime of day. For those who take part in carpools, van pools, walk, bike or use mass transit to get to work or class, here is a car to run that occasional errand. Or perhaps it is the car you need to make that doctor or dental appointment. It's convenient and can be more cost effective than owning a car. Learn more about Boston College’s partnership with Zipcar.
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Q. Is there parking on campus for graduate students?
A permit system is in place for the various constituencies that utilize parking at Boston College. In an effort to enhance parking and at the same time, find a way to more equitably share the financial burden of parking costs previously funded through student tuition, all permits will require a fee. Learn more about student parking permits and the associated costs from the Boston College Transportation and Parking Services website.
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Q. Is the campus handicap accessible?
Boston College has made every accommodation to ensure that our campuses are accessed by the handicapped and physically challenged. In addition to handicap parking spaces for those with a state handicapped placard, all our public facilities offer handicapped entrances and elevator access. Students or employees with handicaps may use the BC Shuttle buses, which have been specially fitted for wheelchair access.
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Q. What information do I need about off-campus parking?
Overnight street parking is not allowed in some nearby communities. Pay attention to towing signs, street cleaning, meters, residential parking, and special permits. Many neighborhoods provide permit-parking stickers to their residents; however, this does NOT guarantee a parking space. To get a resident sticker, your car would have to be registered in Boston (which has extremely expensive mandatory insurance).
Resident parking permits are only issued at Boston City Hall, which is located at Government Center. They are open Monday through Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. with extended hours on Thursday. To obtain a City of Boston (Allston, Brighton) resident permit, you must present your vehicle’s valid Massachusetts registration certificate indicating your vehicle is principally garaged in Boston. You must also provide proof of residency by presenting one of the following documents: gas bill, electric bill, telephone bill, cable bill, credit card bill, or bank statement.
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Q. How do I obtain a resident parking permit for the City of Boston?
The City of Boston’s official website outlines the process for securing a Resident Parking Permit.
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