Boston’s public transportation system may seem frustrating and unreliable at times, but it is still the best way to get around the city, besides your own two feet. The Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority is comprised of a group of subway systems — the Orange Line, Red Line, Blue Line and Green Line — as well as a set of commuter rails, buses and boats that provide transportation across Boston and neighboring towns and cities. The Green Line – more specifically, its B line – will become part of most Boston University students’ everyday life, since it travels up and down our stretch of Commonwealth Avenue and goes all the way to Boston College. This branch converges with the Green Line’s C and D at Kenmore Square, the closest stop to Fenway Park. Budget your time accordingly because the Green Line, with almost 200,000 passengers each day, is the busiest light rail subway system in the United States, according to the American Public Transit Association’s Ridership Reports Statistics. The entire T system holds up to 1.1 million passengers each day, almost 600,000 of whom travel on the subway lines. Once BU hockey starts in October, the Terrier faithful crowd the B line trains and transform them into a sea of scarlet and white, similar to Red Sox game nights when even breathing room inside a car can become scarce. Though Boston is known as a “walking city,” T rides become instantly more desirable with the increasingly early and chilly nights that come along with New England winter months. Each train has one or two cars, so spots onboard become more rare as the ride heads downtown. If you have a personal bubble, leave it at home, because there is simply no room for one while riding the T. Despite public protests from nearby residents, the MBTA approved a 45-cent increase per subway fare — from $1.25 to $1.70 — and bus fare was bumped from $.90 to $1.25 in January to help alleviate what used to be a $8 billion debt for the troubled system. Free above-ground outbound rides were also eliminated, ending the freebies from East to West campus that students enjoyed. Alongside the swell in price came the introduction of the CharlieCard, a re-loadable plastic ticket, and the CharlieTicket, a limited-use paper voucher. The MBTA introduced both payment methods in December 2006, when the last metal coin token was sold. Since then, each rider without a CharlieCard is penalized with a $.30 surcharge per ride — making each trip a $2 affair. You can reload your cards at all underground T stations, but if you find yourself at an above-ground T stop without a loaded card, fear not, for you can pay the fare with cash. For those who need to ride the T often, monthly passes are available through the MBTA for $59. Daily passes are also offered for $9 a day and weekly passes go for $15. BU also offers semester-long payment plans for a set of discounted monthly passes. The trains run from around 5 a.m. until 12:30 a.m., so if you find yourself at a late movie or party far from campus, plan on finding an alternate means of transportation. And remember, if all else fails, follow the Citgo sign home.