Campus to Campus: Transportation Options for Traveling Between the SMFA and Medford/Somerville
When I tell people that I am an SMFA student, they sometimes inquire about the commute. While the Fenway campus is a mere 6 miles away from the Medford campus, taking classes in two locations can appear daunting. Over the past two years at Tufts, I’ve narrowed my commute methods to two main modes of transportation: the SMFA shuttle and the Green Line of the MBTA (fondly referred to as the T).
The SMFA shuttle is a great option for getting to class on time. It runs hourly, starting at 7:25 am and ending at 11:00 pm on weekdays, with slightly more limited weekend hours. It usually takes around 30 minutes to get between campuses, sometimes a bit more during rush hour. You can sit and chat with classmates and friends or get some relaxation time in.
SMFA classes include work to be done outside of class, so you will likely need to go to the SMFA a few times a week in addition to class days. While the SMFA shuttle is a consistent and reliable source of transportation for getting to class, I personally prefer the T for getting between campuses when I’m not on a structured schedule. The trains run every 7-13 minutes, allowing for more flexibility in departure time than the shuttle, and the Heath Street (E) branch of the Green Line is directly on the Medford campus, which makes taking the train between the two a breeze! The Medford/Tufts station is conveniently located on Boston Avenue, right on the North side of campus. You can then take that train directly to the Museum of Fine Arts station, right across the street from the SMFA. The train ride generally takes around 45 minutes, which I find to be the perfect amount of time to complete a reading for one of my classes. Also, the free Charlie Card given to all SMFA students means that students can use the T to commute as much as they need without worrying about any financial impact.
The commute does take some time, but I like to use that to my advantage, completing tasks, catching up with friends who are also going to the studio or finally sorting through my email inbox. The commute allows me to sit down and focus on just that thing, which is a valuable opportunity for busy Tufts students.
While different in frequency and length, both the SMFA shuttle and the T provide SMFA students with convenient and reliable transportation options.