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The ranking emphasized Boston’s extensive transit options.
Pedestrians walk across tracks on the MBTA’s Green Line running along Commonwealth Avenue, Boston. David L. Ryan / The Boston Globe, File
Boston’s public transportation system has been moving residents around for centuries — from harbor ferries in the 1600s to today’s MBTA trains and buses. Now, a new ranking suggests the historic system is still among the best in the country.
Travel magazine Travel + Leisure ranked Boston third on its list of U.S. cities with the best public transportation systems.
The list, published Tuesday, ranked nine cities, excluding New York City, that are “proving that getting around without a car can be practical, efficient, and even enjoyable.”
“Boston actually has a very useful public transportation system, called the MBTA, especially once you understand how to use it,” Boston-based travel adviser Natalie Kurtzman said.
The ranking praised Boston’s extensive transit options, noting that the city’s bus network reaches neighborhoods not accessible by train, making car-free living more realistic for many residents.
The magazine also described the MBTA as “one of the easiest ways to move between neighborhoods,” particularly during heavy traffic caused by graduations, construction, and other major events.
“The T can save you a lot of time and stress, and you don’t have to worry about parking,” Kurtzman added.
The MBTA’s Commuter Rail also earned recognition for connecting riders to destinations outside the city, including Salem and Gillette Stadium, while helping riders avoid traffic and parking headaches. The Commuter Rail is currently offering summer promotions aimed at making fares more affordable and accessible ahead of major events like the World Cup, Tall Ships, and 250th anniversary celebrations.
Despite the praise, the MBTA has continued to face criticism over delays, weather-related disruptions, and service suspensions tied to ongoing infrastructure improvement projects. During many planned service interruptions, the agency provides free shuttle buses to replace train service.
Boston ranked behind Washington, D.C., which claimed the top spot, and Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, which came in second.
Seattle; Portland, Oregon; Honolulu; Chicago; Jersey City, New Jersey; and Philadelphia rounded out the list.
Is getting around Greater Boston easier using public transportation?
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