World Car-Free Day
September 19, 2022

Take Alewife TMA’s Pledge to go Car-Free on September 22 and be entered to win Apple Air Pods! 

World Car Free Day is celebrated on September 22nd each year. Car Free Day is a global initiative that encourages those who are normally motorists to leave their cars at home for a day. The purpose of this awareness day, especially for those who live and/or work in cities, is to take non-car options for transportation in order to get a better sense of their locality. While on the train or bus or commuting by bike or walking, you might have a chance to visit a local coffee shop, florist or bakery that you would normally not notice while stuck in your car. Additionally, by participating in Car Free Day, you are contributing to a global environmental effort to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG). According to the EPA, the transportation sector accounts for 27% of the GHG emissions released into the air—the greatest percentage of all of the sectors that are significant contributors. Within the transportation sector itself, 57% of those emissions come from light-duty vehicles (a.k.a. cars). 


While sporadic car free days existed prior to the beginning of the Milennium, World Car Free Day began in earnest in 2000. The European Transport Association made Car Free Day official in June of 2000, by setting the first awareness day on the first Tuesday in their Green Transport Week. Eventually, it was agreed to make the day a self-standing one on September 22nd of that year (and those thereafter) as a pan-European day supported by the European Commission. Now, on September 22nd each year, many major cities, including those in the U.S. are encouraged to close their centers to cars and instead promote the use of walking, biking, public transportation, riding a shuttle or engaging in telework. 


This year on September 22nd, Car-Free Boston is hosting Rebel Ride beginning in Copley Square at 5:30PM. 

In Cambridge, for many people, every day can be seen as car-free, given the variety of options available to residents and commuters who either don’t have a car or don’t want one. Bike lanes adorn many streets, transit stations and bus stops are plenty, and bike and walking paths connect many neighborhoods. 

 

At the Alewife TMA, we are asking folks to take a pledge to go car free on September 22nd. All those who take the pledge will be entered to win a pair of Apple Air Pods! 


On behalf of the Alewife TMA, we want to wish you a Happy Car Free Day. Join us in making the movement stronger. Breathe fresh air instead of staring at brake lights! 

By Hanna Morris February 4, 2025
Alewife TMA Commuter Spotlight: Sitaram Meena, PhD
By Hanna Morris August 27, 2024
No Red Line Service Between JFK/UMass & Braintree, Sep 6–29 Free Shuttle Buses: During the shutdown, free shuttle buses will make stops at Braintree, Quincy Adams, Quincy Center, Wollaston, North Quincy, and Ashmont. Commuter Rail will be FREE between Braintree and South Station: Use the Middleborough/Lakeville and Kingston lines for service from Braintree. Use the Middleborough/Lakeville, Kingston, and Greenbush lines for service from Quincy Center (except for during the weekend closures). MBTA personnel will be available to assist riders. Commuter Rail Weekend Closures: The weekends of September 7th–8th and 14th–15th Kingston, Middleborough, and Greenbush Commuter Rail service will be suspended between South Station and Braintree. Shuttles will run directly between South Staton and Braintree. At Quincy Center use Red Line Shuttle to Braintree to Connect to South Station. MBTA officials say once the track work is completed, it will improve round-trip Braintree Branch travel times by as much as 24 minutes, running service up to the maximum allowable speed of 40 miles per hour. For the latest information, we suggest the following resources: Visit camb.ma/redline for additional transit options during Red Line closures. Visit mbta.com/redline for the most up-to-date information during the closures. Visit mbtaclosures.com for information on all MBTA closures.
By Melissa Zampitella July 12, 2024
Beginning at 8:15 PM on Friday, July 12 through Sunday, July 28 there will be no Red Line trains running between Alewife Station and Kendall/MIT Station. The following options will be available: Free shuttle buses will make stops at all closed stations Express shuttle buses will stop at only Alewife, Porter, and Kendall/MIT A Shuttle Loop will operate from Harvard to Central to Kendall/MIT and back to Harvard. Free Commuter Rail between Porter Square and North Station plus an extra shuttle train (doubling Commuter Rail service) Five Free Bluebikes rides with code: MBTAREDJULY MBTA Bus #77 (Arlington Heights – Harvard) will be fare-free within Cambridge On weekdays evenings after 8:30 PM the closure will extend to Park Street (Boston) – no red line service between Alewife and Park Street Shuttle buses will stop at all stations between Alewife and Part Street. On Weekends: July 13-14 : the closure will extend to JFK/UMASS – no service between Alewife and JFK/UMASS July 20-21 : the closure will extend to Park Street (Boston) – no service between Alewife and Park Street July 27-28: the closure will extend to JFK/UMASS – no service between Alewife and JFK/UMASS  Shuttle buses will stop at all closed stations. Note : Riders needing to go beyond Park Street will need to transfer to another shuttle at Park Street to go on to JFK/UMASS. The Commuter Rail will be fare-free between Braintree, Quincy Center, JFK/UMass, and South Station. Regular fares should be purchased beyond Braintree. The important thing to keep in mind is that there will be shuttle buses at all locations where Red Line service is closed. There will be signage and MBTA staff to assist riders in getting where they need to go. Below are a few good resources to find the most up-to-date information. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns. For the latest information, we suggest the following resources: Visit camb.ma/redline for additional transit options during Red Line closures. Visit mbta.com/redline for the most up-to-date information during the closures. Visit mbtaclosures.com for information on all MBTA closures
June 3, 2024
Commuter Spotlight: Red Line Rider
May 2, 2024
Get Ready to Ride: Bike Month is Here! Spring is in full bloom! The days are longer, tulips are popping up, and if you have allergies, you might be sneezing a bit more. But there's good news for cyclists: the warmer weather means it's time to get back on the road. May is National Bike Month , and there's plenty to be excited about for bike enthusiasts in Massachusetts. What is Bike Month? National Bike Month , established in 1956, is all about celebrating the joy of cycling, promoting its health benefits, and encouraging more people to give it a try. A key part of this celebration is Bike to Work Week, which falls in the third week of May, with Bike to Work Day on the Friday of that week. This year, Bike to Work Week is from May 13 to 19, with Bike to Work Day on May 17. What's Happening in Massachusetts for Bike Month? Massachusetts is a great place to be if you love biking, and Bay State Bike Month , hosted by MassBike , has a full schedule of events to keep you moving. If you're looking for group rides or ways to get involved, this is your go-to resource.
February 21, 2024
We all know the question, “what’s in it for me?” It’s the eternal quandary that all marketers are on a mission to answer. If they can explain what’s in for me to do or buy something, their job is done. But what if we rolled that question on its head and asked, “what’s in it for you, and me, and even them? When it comes to a green or sustainable commute, there happens to be a LOT it in for you, me, your neighbor and the person who sits across from you on the T. For you, it’s more convenient and economical way to commute. For your neighbor or the person across from you on the T, you are helping the environment and reducing traffic congestion by using a sustainable travel mode and NOT driving alone in a car. For that action, we at the Alewife TMA believe you should be rewarded.
January 29, 2024
Thank you to our members, partners, and green commuters who collectively made 2023 an excellent year for the Alewife TMA! Together, we celebrate the progress made towards sustainability in the Alewife & Fresh Pond area. Please take a moment to view our 2023 Recap which highlights the impact of the past year, We look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts in transforming our region into a space where multimodal transportations options are available for everyone.
mechanic next to car, text: Winter Car Maintenance and Safety Tips with Luis
By TransAction Associates January 4, 2024
It's officially winter! Are you ready for the snow and ice? Is your car ready? Join Luis Mejia, Fleet Mechanic at TransAction Associates & Corporate Shuttles, as he shares some winter car maintenance and safety tips.
December 7, 2023
The Alewife TMA was thrilled to meet with Erin Shields of Longfellow to discuss Longfellow's dedication to environmental sustainability and the value of TMA membership for the tenants and employees at 100/125/150 Cambridgepark Drive.
By TransAction Associates October 26, 2023
World Car-Free Day 2023 was a huge success! Organized in a variety of ways around the globe, every event shared the unifying goal of reducing the number of cars on the road. The Alewife TMA participated in MassCommute's 2023 Car-Free Day, the Commonwealth’s Coalition of 15 TMAs to promote and celebrate Car-Free Day in Massachusetts. Commuters who participated helped to make a positive impact on the environment and contributed to a greener Bay State!
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