MBTA

Boston and points between Lowell and Boston

  • The MBTA Commuter Rail offers regular service from Lowell’s Gallagher Terminal to Boston’s North Station and numerous points in-between. Visit the MBTA's website for additional information.
  • UMass Lowell does not offer any discounts or passes for the MBTA Commuter Rail.
  • If you need a ride to or from Gallagher Terminal when the LRTA is not operating, you may call 978-934-2222 to request a campus shuttle bus to bring you to the station. Campus shuttle buses do no serve Gallagher Terminal during LRTA operating hours.

LRTA / MVRTA

UMass Lowell students and employees are able to use the LRTA at no cost, by scanning the UMass Lowell UCard. The MVRTA is free to ride for everyone for two years thanks to their two-year fair-free pilot program. 

  • There is one central transit terminal in Lowell for the LRTA, MBTA, and MVRTA. The bus side of the terminal is called Kennedy Center, while the train side of the terminal is called Gallagher Terminal. There is a parking garage on site which has sheltered bicycle racks. All of the bus systems listed below arrive and depart at Kennedy Center. You can see the location of the transit terminal on this Google Map.
  • All three public transit agencies are integrated with Google Maps. There you can get detailed directions and maps based on either desired departure or arrival time.
  • The LRTA has partnered with UMass Lowell, and you can now use your UCARD to access the LRTA at no charge. To ride the MBTA subway you can get an unloaded CharlieCard for free at the Kennedy Center Terminal. The CharlieCard stores value which can be used to pay by the ride on the MBTA subways and buses in Boston (but not the commuter rail, see below).

Eligibility

To be eligible to use the LRTA with your UCard, you must meet one of the following criteria by being:

  • a current employee (student employees who are not currently registered or living in housing during winter and summer intersessions should email UCAPS@uml.edu for access)
  • registered for classes in the current term, or
  • a student currently living in on-campus housing.

Lowell Regional Transit Authority (LRTA)

To the train station and getting around Lowell

  • The LRTA bus system provides service at each of the UMass Lowell campuses by routes 6, 7, and 9, as well as service to numerous other locations throughout the greater Lowell area, including Burlington Mall (Route 14), Drum Hill Shopping Plaza (Route 5), Stadium Plaza Shopping Center (Route 12), Brunswick Zone Bowling (Route 7), and Showcase Cinemas Lowell (Route 16).
  • Full schedules and routes are available on the LRTA's website. A timetable is also available for download to help you to coordinate LRTA routes and the commuter rail.

Merrimack Valley Transportation Authority (MVRTA)

Lawrence, Methuen, and points east

  • The MVRTA Bus System provides service from Lowell’s Kennedy Bus Terminal to downtown Lawrence via Route 41, which connects at Kennedy Center. The bus departs Lawrence from the Buckley Transportation Center (which can be found on this Google map) and from Merrimack Plaza in Methuen.
  • When traveling to Lowell, you can get off the bus before it reaches Kennedy Center, at a designated stop at Middlesex Street, walk a couple of blocks to the UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center, and then take a campus shuttle bus to your destination. When leaving Lowell, you must board the Route 41 bus at Kennedy Center, as it does not stop anywhere in Lowell on its way to Lawrence.
    You can reach Kennedy Center on the LRTA - see above.
  • Visit the MVRTA website for schedules and information.

Taxi, Livery and Shuttle Service

There are numerous taxi services operating in Lowell which can be taken to the transit terminal, campus, and many other destinations.