April 11, 2025 |MBTA, News, Transportation

MBTA Announces Service Information for the 2025 Boston Marathon

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Visit the MBTA’s Boston Marathon Guide at mbta.com/Marathon, which highlights MBTA stations closest to the Marathon route and includes other helpful information on purchasing fares, parking, and more.

The MBTA today announced service information on Monday, April 21, the day of the 2025 Boston Marathon. Every year, the MBTA supports the Boston Marathon with increased service to accommodate spectators and runners. To manage potential overcrowding, the MBTA will strategically deploy additional personnel to assist with passenger flow, boarding and disembarking, and maintaining a safe environment for everyone.

MBTA Service Information for the 2025 Boston Marathon:

To find the best Marathon viewing location on the T and service information, riders are encouraged to visit the MBTA’s Boston Marathon Guide at mbta.com/Marathon, which highlights MBTA stations closest to the Marathon route and includes other helpful information on purchasing fares, parking, and more.

Station Closures:

• For public safety reasons, Copley Station is closed for the entire day on April 21. Riders are instead encouraged to use Arlington (serving all Green Line branches), Prudential (Green Line E branch), Hynes Convention Center (Green Line B, C, and D branches), or Back Bay on the Orange Line.
• From approximately 10 AM to 6 PM, above-ground Green Line stops at South Street (B branch), Kent Street (C branch), and St. Mary’s Street (C branch) will be closed.
• In the interest of public safety, the MBTA may adjust service or temporarily close additional stations near the finish line.

Service Information:

• The Green, Red, Orange, Blue, and Silver lines will operate a regular weekday schedule on April 21 with additional service before and after the race.  
• Most bus routes will operate a special Saturday schedule on April 21 with some routes detoured to accommodate the Marathon and other festivities. Routes 1, 7, 501, and 504 will operate with increased service on April 21. Riders are encouraged to subscribe to T-Alerts for more information on bus route diversions. Visit mbta.com/Marathon for a complete list of changes.  
• All Commuter Rail lines will operate a regular weekday schedule on April 21. There will be a special Marathon Monday schedule in effect on the Framingham/Worcester Commuter Rail Line offering additional inbound and outbound trips with more information on mbta.com soon. 
• All ferry and RIDE paratransit services will operate a regular weekday schedule. The RIDE may be detoured to accommodate the Marathon and related events. 
• Bicycles are prohibited onboard all MBTA subway vehicles (including folding bicycles) for the entire day on April 21. Additionally, bikes and scooters (including folding ones) will not be allowed on board Framingham/Worcester Commuter Rail Line trains starting at 5 PM on Sunday, April 20, through end of service on April 21 due to anticipated extra Marathon ridership. Backpacks, coolers, cans, bottles, and large items are not permitted at the Marathon.

Paying Fares: 

•  On the Commuter Rail, the MBTA recommends purchasing the $10 Holiday Weekend Pass, which will be available for passengers to travel all weekend from Saturday, April 19, through Monday, April 21. The $10 Holiday Weekend Pass is valid for all Commuter Rail lines and zones with unlimited hop-on and hop-off travel. Passengers should note that Holiday Weekend Passes are not valid on subway or bus.  
• For pay-as-you-go travel on bus and subway, riders can tap a contactless credit/debit card, mobile phone, or watch that has a mobile wallet to pay their fare. More information is available at mbta.com/TapToRide.  
• For subway and bus travel for those not using contactless payments, the MBTA recommends loading at least $5 on a CharlieCard on Marathon Monday, which is enough fare for a round trip on the subway.  
• For those traveling to the Boston area, a 7-day Commuter Rail Zone 1A pass might be the most useful – the MBTA’s 7-day passes are $22.50 and provide unlimited travel for a week from the date of purchase on the subway, buses, Commuter Rail Zone 1A, and Charlestown and East Boston ferries.

For more information on paying fares, visit mbta.com/fares and mbta.com/Marathon.  

Parking Information: 

 Riders planning to park in an MBTA garage or lot on April 21 should allow additional travel time and note that some garages and lots may fill very quickly due to heavy parking demand.

More information is available at mbta.com/Parking. 

Safety Information:

• Behind the scenes, a dedicated team of MBTA leaders from various departments, including operations, track, signals, and safety, will be monitoring the system throughout the day in the Emergency Operations Center, ready to troubleshoot any unforeseen issues that may arise.  
•  The MassDOT/MBTA’s Security & Emergency Management team will have representatives in the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency’s “Unified Coordination Center,” which serves as the central hub for public safety operations on race day. The Transit Police Department (TPD) will also continue to monitor the system with robust support available as needed. TPD will deploy every available asset at strategic locations to ensure a safe commuting environment for the riding public. Riders can expect to see, but not limited to, a substantial uniform presence, special operations resources, and other layers of security that will not be obvious or visible. MBTA staff and Transit Ambassadors are also strategically deployed throughout the system to assist riders with any questions or concerns. 
•  Riders are encouraged to be extra vigilant when using escalators and stairs. Additional porters will also proactively identify and address cleaning needs throughout the system, from sweeping floors and disposing of trash to maintaining restrooms and replenishing supplies. 

For more information, visit mbta.com/Marathon or connect with the T on X @MBTA and @MBTA_CR, Facebook /TheMBTA, Instagram @theMBTA, Threads @thembta, or TikTok @thembta. 

About the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) opened America’s first subway tunnel in 1897, pioneering public transportation in the United States. Today, the MBTA is one of the largest public transit systems in the country, operating an extensive network of subway, bus, Commuter Rail, ferry, and paratransit services across 176 cities and towns. The MBTA is undergoing a transformative period, focusing on cultivating a culture of safety and excellence, modernizing infrastructure, and improving reliability and accessibility. Current priorities include accelerating critical infrastructure repairs, expanding accessibility, and reducing emissions. The MBTA is committed to providing dependable, frequent, and accessible service that riders can rely on while supporting the region’s economic vitality. Through initiatives like the unprecedented Track Improvement Program, Bus Network Redesign, and Rail Vision, the MBTA aims to connect communities and improve riders’ daily experiences and trips. For questions or assistance, riders are encouraged to contact the MBTA Customer Center at 617-222-3200. Members of the press are encouraged to contact mediarelations@mbta.com. For the latest updates on MBTA services, projects, and initiatives, visit MBTA.com or follow @MBTA on social media.