Go ahead and order that extra round, because Boston nightlife just got a little breathing room.
The MBTA is finally giving us more time before that dreaded “last train” panic sets in. On August 24, the T’s new fall schedule kicks in, with Friday and Saturday nights seeing subways, buses and ferries serving commuters until 2am. It’s a small tweak that could have a big impact, whether you’re hustling from a closing shift, catching a late concert or simply unwilling to cut the night short when the city’s just getting interesting.
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The first five weekends after the change will see commuters riding for free on all train, ferry and bus lines after 9pm. The MBTA says most buses and trains will run every 30 minutes during the extended hours. Red line trains between Alewife and JFK/UMass will run every 15 minutes.
The new schedule also includes daily updates for bus routes 23, 28, 57, 111 and 116, all of which extend service for one hour.
For years, Boston has been the city that loves to remind you it’s bedtime (usually before you’re ready). Those neon “last call” vibes hit even harder when you factor in that the T, unlike subways in certain other East Coast cities we won’t name (but rhyme with “Blew Nork”), traditionally starts shutting down just when you need it most. That meant one of two options: sprinting for the final train and riding home drenched out of breath and cranky, or shelling out for a ride share you’ll regret when you see the charge in the morning. The new schedule gives us all a little more time to actually enjoy Friday and Saturday nights without constantly checking our phones for the time.
It’s not just for the party crowd. Late-night service is a lifeline for the thousands of Bostonians who keep the city humming after dark, from bartenders, healthcare workers and hotel staff to musicians and venue crews. Extending service means fewer people stranded, fewer expensive rideshares and a public transit system that better reflects how people actually live in a major city.
Boston has been talking about later transit for what feels like forever, and now it’s actually happening. So, order dessert, stay for one more song or linger over that last round. The T’s got your back—at least, for an extra hour two nights a week.