MENU
SEARCHThe free digital content will be offered at more than 50 subway, bus, ferry, and commuter rail locations.
MassDOT is encouraging residents to Ditch the Drive and consider using alternative modes of transportation during the closure of Sumner Tunnel.
MassDOT
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) in partnership with the MBTA and Boston Public Library will offer access to free digital newspapers, magazines, audiobooks, and e-books for the duration of the Sumner Tunnel closure.
The free digital content will be offered at more than 50 subway, bus, ferry, and commuter rail locations. The Sumner Tunnel closed at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, July 5. The tunnel will remain closed until Thursday, August 31.
MassDOT is encouraging residents to Ditch the Drive and consider using alternative modes of transportation during the closure. While travelers are exploring these alternatives, they can take advantage of this free content to make the commute more enjoyable, according MassDOT.
“As we encourage travelers to Ditch the Drive, we are grateful to the Boston Public Library for partnering with us to find a way to make travelers’ trips more enjoyable,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Gina Fiandaca. “The BPL is a terrific resource for communities throughout Massachusetts and this program is great opportunity for riders to experience all that the Library has to offer.”
The service is an expansion of an experiment the City of Boston launched at 20 bus stops in May, in partnership with the Boston Public Library and the MBTA.
While riders are waiting to board the bus, train, or ferry, they can scan the QR code available near the transportation stop to access the digital library in their default internet browser. There is no app required. Riders do not need to have a library card. They can browse the library offerings, and then select up to five eBooks or audiobooks to read or listen to right in the browser. Riders can access unlimited newspapers and magazines.
The closure is the next phase of a project that began in April of 2022 and will include work on the tunnel ceiling, roadway, walls, lighting, and additional improvements, which will increase safety and climate resiliency. MassDOT has put together a robust plan to mitigate as much as possible the impact of the project on residents and travelers.
The region’s fixed-route system finished out the year with a total of 373.5 million rides. Adding 12.3 million rides over 2024 represents an increase that is equal to the annual transit ridership of Kansas City.
Read More →
The service is a flexible, reservation-based transit service designed to close the first- and last-mile gaps and connect riders to employment for just $5 per day.
Read More →
Parsons wins the $60M Claremont Extension design contract as the Foothill Gold Line board reaffirms leadership during a pivotal project phase.
Read More →
The upgraded system, which went live earlier this month, supports METRO’s METRONow vision to enhance the customer experience, improve service reliability, and strengthen long-term regional mobility.
Read More →
The agency ranked top five among mid-sized U.S. transit systems, defined as agencies with 15 million to 50 million annual trips.
Read More →
The new program rewards B2B audience readers for engaging with trusted content and suppliers, earning them points toward events, travel, and more.
Read More →
The subway system saw increases across all key metrics, with 62% of subway riders reporting they feel satisfied with the system overall.
Read More →
The agreement provides competitive wages and reflects strong labor-management collaboration, positive working relationships, and a shared commitment to building a world-class transit system for the community, said RTA CEO Lona Edwards Hankins.
Read More →
The new contract for Keolis and VRE will commence in July 2026, with the potential to expand to 15 years.
Read More →
The priorities are outlined in the 2026 Board and CEO Initiatives and Action Plan, which serves as a roadmap to guide the agency’s work throughout the year and ensure continued progress and accountability on voter-approved transportation investments and essential mobility services.
Read More →
