Um, yeah, this is a bit awkward. So, I guess, I’ll say that the rule kinda is “if there’s helvetica, it counts”. Which, to my awareness, means these four stops + City Point all count. Now, there’s more to Columbus Avenue as well, including a bit of a unique thing that sets it apart from other busways in the region. Let’s look.
Walnut Avenue!
Now, all these stops have LED displays showing when the next buses are coming, have benches, T lollipops, and the Helvetica signage. But that’s not what sets these apart. What sets these apart, are how they’re configured in the road: in the center lanes.
Going out to Egelston Square, I was convinced these were absolutely dangerous and death traps, and overall just poorly placed/designed. Well, it turns out……I was proven wrong firsthand, and genuinely surprised. Walking down the 1/2 mile or so of center-running bus lanes from Walnut Ave. to Dimock St., I was genuinely surprised at how often people were actually respecting the paint, as well as how surprisingly easy it was to jaywalk. Actually, it also felt safe, I’ll add. Yeah, shocker, I’m used to yelling “HAIL MARY!” when jaywalking, but given they shrunk the lanes down to as small as doable, I was shocked to find that yes, I can actually jaywalk and not run the risk of being struck. Now, is it psychological in nature? Probably. But then I heard an ambulance rushing down Columbus Avenue and, they too used said bus lanes. Hell, even SCHOOL BUSES were using it. So, seeing all that firsthand and that they actually work BETTER, I got just one question:
WHY THE FUCK ISN’T THIS ON WASHINGTON STREET?! WHY CAN’T WE HAVE THIS FOR THE SL4 AND SL5 INSTEAD?! HOLY FUCK! THIS WOULD MAKE MILES UPON MILES OF DIFFERENCE!!!
Also, the lights looked funky like the lights on the Green Line’s median-running sections.
Weld Avenue!Bray StreetOops, the screen at Dimock St. is ruined!WEEWOOWEEWOOWEEWOO!!!
The good: THESE WORK A WHOLE LOT FUCKING BETTER THAN WASHINGTON STREET’S BUS LANES – OR HELL, LITERALLY ANY IMPLEMENTATION OF BUS LANES I’VE SEEN IN MY ENTIRE LIFE, MAYBE SAVE FOR THE CTFASTRAK BUSWAY OR THE TRANSITWAY/CHELSEA BUSWAY!!! WHY THE FUCK DON’T WE HAVE THESE ON NORTH MAIN STREET, RIDOT?! WHY CAN’T WE HAVE THESE ON WASHINGTON STREET, MBTA? MAYOR WU?!
The bad: You kinda can’t turn left, but if you’re a pedestrian, that’s a nonissue.
Nearby points of interest: Egelston Square!
Overall, HOLY FUCK WAS I WRONG ON MY PRECONCEIVED NOTIONS! WHY CAN’T WE HAVE THESE?! JUST, WHY?! THEY WORK HELLA BETTER, FEEL CONSIDERABLY SAFER, AND ARE MUCH MORE LIKELY TO BE RESPECTED!
Rating: 10/10
Yeah, I just pulled a 10/10. Rare, ain’t it? This is the kind of shit we NEED to see more often! And, for once, I’ll have to admit the T actually did something right here.
Alrighty, now the very last Silver Line entry (unless they bring a new Silver Line into service in the Boston area, that is)! Let’s look at the SL3 as a route.
That DAMN drawbridge!
So, leaving the Transitway and the Pike, we’re dumped onto local roads, where we navigate into Airport (Blue Line). However, transfers are outside fare control, so no free crossovers. You can also transfer to the Massport shuttles, neat! From here, we go waist-deep into some side streets used by 18 wheelers primarily seemingly, cross that DAMN drawbridge, and are in Chelsea. From here, we enter the busway (which is rather tight a turn) and do a straight shot down it to Market Basket. So, how does the busway stack up?
YOUR MOM HAS AN OVERSIZED BOX!!!Tracks
The good: It’s essentially the next best thing to giving Market Basket a rapid transit link! Sure, it’d be nicer if there were wires for the buses like in the Transitway, but that’s opening an entire can of worms that I’ll only sum up with “wires bad, louder than diesel, slower, and outdated” on the basis of said Transitway. It’s also alright if you’re into foaming the Newburyport/Rockport as it’s grade crossing hell.
The bad: I can’t help but think this should’ve been fully grade separated and done as a Transitway extension (with a portal at Eastern Ave.?). But, that train’s long gone.
Nearby points of interest: Market Basket is the big one. MORE FOR YOUR DOLLAR!
GET YOUR SHRIMP SPECIALS, MOAR FOR YO’ DOLLAH!
Overall, it’s alright enough, but it’s severely hampered by traffic on the Mass Pike and THAT. DAMN. DRAWBRIDGE. GOD, I HATE IT!
Rating: 5/10 (mostly out of spite for that DAMN BRIDGE)
Alrighty, the last one! Let’s look at the final Silver Line station (that is, barring South Station, but that’s a special one 😉 Stay tuned!). Meet: Eastern Avenue.
Coming on up!
So, it’s literally the same as Box District, Bellingham Square, and Chelsea. Yeah, not much new to see here. Heated shelters and the usual. Oh, but there’s a bike rack! Albeit, it’s no Pedal & Park. That would’ve been nicer, given the proximity to the Chelsea Greenway. Oh yeah, Massport’s shuttles stop here! There’s also a parking garage for, I think, airport employees. Yeah, there’s just not a lot here. Let’s get to it.
The drawbridge looms…
The good: Well, it’s your usual Chelsea bus station. Heated shelters and whatnot are the norm. Massport also stops here, which is a bonus.
The bad: You’ll PROBABLY learn to hate this station should the drawbridge be up, if buses are held here. Also, not a lot to note.
Nearby points of interest: Airport parking and a few parks nearby!
Transit connections: Silver Line (SL3) MBTA bus (112) Massport (77)
Alrighty, the first SL3 stop I reviewed on this trip to Boston, and a friend was with me for this one. This one features heaters, buses, even a GP40 and annoying panhandlers that kept pestering me for money! Yeah…
We’d be here for a bit…
So, just like Box District, it’s the same deal essentially. You’ve got heated shelters, buses, and whatnot. But, what sets this one apart is the street access from Arlington and 6th Streets, and Washington Avenue. Yeah, there’s at-grade access from Arlington & 6th, and a ramp from Washington. Neat. Wait, what’s that on the other side of the Rockport Line?
Is that?
Yes, indeed, it’s the old Chelsea Commuter Rail station. Indeed, it’s been left here to rot, with the outbound side outright demolished to make way for the Chelsea busway. However, its replacement didn’t open until late 2021 meaning in those three or so years, people had to CROSS THE TRACKS to get to an outbound train. Yikes. Fortunately, I don’t need to review it so it’s all cool. Some guy then started harassing me for money and cigarettes, and seeing how he wouldn’t take no as an answer, I eventually snapped and yelled “¡NO TENGO DINERO!” which seemed to shut him up and get the point across. To translate, ” I DON’T HAVE MONEY!” Oh yeah, we got to see a GP40 and F40 run through.
I do believe that’s Chelsea!And the crossing signals!And then they blasted the horns!geepeefourtyOh yeah, this one had a ramp.
The good: There’s ramp access from one side, and grade access to the other! Neat! Aside from that, it’s just a carbon copy of Chelsea and Box District. There’s also history of what was once was, with the old Chlesea (CR) station being behind here left to rot. This also happens to be the closest thing to Chelsea’s town center, so take that as you will.
The bad: Not a lot to talk about here.
Nearby points of interest: Chelsea’s town center is close by!
Transit connections: Silver Line (SL3) MBTA bus (112 @ Sixth Street, 111 @ Washington Ave.)
Overall, it’s largely copy-paste, but it’s still slightly better with the connectivity to the street.
Alrighty, chronologically the second in the three parter where I finish up the Silver Line, but the first one I’m writing about. From here, my friend left for home while I review this station, along with Bellingham Square and Eastern Avenue. Let’s dig into it.
Helvetica!
So, there’s not really a lot to talk about with the Chelsea busway’s stops in general. You’ve got the Helvetica, bus shelters (with heaters – yay!), and a bike path. Instead, what’s around the Box District? What even IS the Box District? I don’t know. Lemme do research.
*does research*
Apparently it’s the local area’s name. Weird, but alright. As for what’s around, there’s not a lot. Just housing. Bus connections can also be had on Broadway.
Bus leaving!Shelters on the other side
The good: It’s in a residential neighborhood, has a bike path, and has heaters! Say, did Ned Lamont have a say in this?
The bad: Not a lot to talk about with this station. It’s average.
Nearby points of interest: Not a lot, there’s a few shops on Broadway though! However, not a lot stands out.
Transit connections: Silver Line (SL3) MBTA bus (116, 117)
Overall, it’s average. But, sometimes, average isn’t bad, and plus it’s got heaters. RIPTA could take a few notes. Hell, the Green Line could take a few notes even!
So, we’ve done the SL2, SL4, and SL5, and the short-turns. All that remains are the SL1 and SL3. And hell, the SL1’s the only one I’ve never ridden as I’ve done the SL3 plenty of times. So, let’s look at this “BRT” route.
Flight departures at South Station?!
First off, before even boarding, at South Station, I noticed there were flight departures. Woah, I genuinely never noticed them before despite riding the Silver numerous times. But, that’s probably because I never ride the SL1. So, the bus pulls up, it’s crowded (highest ridership of the three Transitway routes!), and off to Logan Airport!
There she is!
So, after running through the usual Transitway affair and express onto the Pike, we pull off onto what I think is the last exit, and right into the terminals. Get ready, because this might perplex a few people.
First stop was Terminal A. Nothing to note here, there’s at least signage here (and at all the stops). Terminals B’s two stops, and C’s stop were much of the same, as we weaved by every terminal. Terminal E, internationals, was also largely the same. People got on and off at each stop (predictably), with slightly longer dwell times than normal at each one due to loading luggage onto the racks. Yes, these Neoplans had luggage racks! After Terminal E, we were back onto the Pike and into the Transitway. You’ll ask, “where’s Terminal D?” Well, that doesn’t exactly “exist”, so to say.
The good: Well, if we look at the Silver Line as a rapid bus (e.g. same class as the R Line), then the SL1 is a pretty damn decent airport express bus. Sure, it’ll get clogged up on the Pike pretty easily, but for what it is, it stops curbside at the terminals, and runs express to the Transitway. Besides, unlike most other airport buses I’ve ridden to this point, it’s got luggage racks! The terminals are also your only officially free entryway into the subway system, too!
The bad: Unfortunately, it’s not true “rapid transit”. In fact, I’d argue the case for a people mover between the terminals, and some combination of Airport and South Station. Moreso, given that the Silver Line (and the SL1 mostly) is at the behest of mixed traffic beyond the Transitway.
Nearby points of interest: You’re not gonna get a lot in the way of points of interest at Logan. But you can change for the Red Line, Commuter Rail, Amtrak, and the other Silver Line routes at South Station!
Overall, it’s alright. As a normal or rapid bus route, it’s pretty good. But, as BRT, as the T advertises, it kinda sucks. But, hey, you can get into the subway for free! Neat! Hmmm, I wonder how many terminals one could touch before needing to leave fare control?
Born in 1903, Tom Yawkey was an important figure in the MLB, having owned the Red Sox for most of his life. At first glance, he might seem like a reasonable enough man, even taking in Latino players when integration was key. However, this time also drew controversy towards him because of him allegedly (and, I’ll note, I haven’t found much to prove or disprove this) being particularly racist towards the Black community and being dead last to have a Black player on the team’s roster. He’d eventually go on to pass away due to leukemia in the ’70s.
Now what the HELL does baseball or MLB executives have to do with anything I write about here?! Well, I’ll tell you.
This station was formerly named after him, that’s what! Meet: Lansdowne (formerly Yawkey)
A Worcester train!Bye!
Now, getting off the train after going through the literal pits of hell known as Tracks 5 & 7 at BBY, the first thing that I noticed was the unusual platform configuration. You’ve got two side platforms, but both platforms have the yellow line facing the Mass Pike. Now, while this is unusual, there’s a good reason in that it was built with minimizing the gap between the train and platform, as the station is built on a relatively sharp curve. There’s also elevators, and unlike most of the Worcester Line (including Back Bay!), it’s got level boarding, as the mini-high was demolished with a 2012-2014 rebuild. There’s also an overpass, both towards Beacon Street and over the South Station-bound track. Just be ready to deal with rabid Sox fans during the season, and the cars of the Mass Pike whirring by. Luckily, Kenmore is also in walking distance from here. Neat!
Woah.A bunch of numbers (retired? I don’t really follow baseball.)Woo, Mass Pike!Looking towards Framingham and WorcesterHelvetica!Looking towards Fenway ParkLooking up towards South Station, at track levelThis gives off mini “pits of Hell” vibesThe Citgo sign looms…
The good: It’s got level boarding! Also, walking distance to the Green Line at Kenmore, along with commuting potential to Longwood, BU, and Brookline. And, the sports atmosphere, if that’s your thing. (it isn’t mine personally, but I know a couple of people).
The bad: It’s a bit tucked away, like it wants to be hidden. Aesthetics? Not the best, but whatever.
Nearby points of interest: Fenway Park is the big one!
Transit connections: Commuter Rail (Worcester) MBTA bus (8, 19, 60, 65 on Brookline Ave.)
Overall, it’s an alright station. Being here in the middle of winter, I’m not sure if it’s enough to handle game day crowds for Fenway Park, but since they rebuilt it in 2014 I’m sure it’s probably not a major issue. Plus, the Green Line is a short walk away!
Wait, there’s ANOTHER MBTA opening?! Well shit, let’s look at it at the crack of dawn! I mean, if I can do the GLX where pretty much all the cards were stacked against me, I can pretty much do anything. Besides, it’s been pretty much exactly 42 years since an MBTA train last stopped here. So, let’s look at it, shall we?
Signage!
So, I Ubered up to the area at around 3 AM with a 3:30 arrival. It was downpouring, so being able to take refuge under the overpass was a godsend. Speaking of which, the entire station was well lit, I almost mistook it for a sporting arena for a moment! Parking? 200 whole spaces! Add that to not one but TWO dropoff areas and a busway, and you have a decent enough bus terminal. But they had to screw up with two things: There’s no heating AND there’s no bathrooms or indoor area! Like, dammit RIDOT, why did you have to shaft RIPTA like that?! Also, engineered out bathrooms?! WHO DOES THAT?! Did I mention bus connections?! You get 10 of them. TEN! ALL the Pawtucket-area routes stop here!
That’s a LOT of lighting!Looking southbound with a very enthusiastic MilesAnd the other wayPeople from Keolis were giving out swag, including buttons, luggage tags, and umbrellasRedundant elevators, in normal MBTA fashionThe mezzanine
Alrighty, so the Commuter Rail section of the station itself is pretty decent. Full level boarding, Helvetica signage, an updated system map (with the South Coast extension, woohoo!), and redundant elevators that didn’t smell like urine but probably do now. There’s also departure boards, something lacking at T.F. Green and Wickford. Art is present in the form of a yarn ball, which represents the area’s historical ties to the textile industry. And, lastly, although the station has three tracks, the third track is just a freight siding that never sees passenger use, so the platform setup is more akin to New London’s in that you have a side and island, but the island is essentially just another side platform with one side blocked off.
The ballThe skeleton of the old station looms ahead…And looking towards Providence and Wickford!First train!
From here, we had a small gathering, mainly consisting of a few people including Dylan, Miles (stay tuned for the video on this station!), Daria, Jordan (who had to head back up to Boston shortly after returning), Zoe, and a few others whose names slip past my exhausted mind (I barely got sleep and am running on a 2hr power nap right now!), and we proceeded onwards. Initially, the plan was we’d get off at Attleboro, but instead we shifted to Mansfield. So, we took #800 out to Mansfield, got off, waited in the miserable weather, and got on #801 back to Pawtucket. By the time we got back, and we heard the “train approaching” warning going off (which, at the time, were not in the most functional of states), we saw an Acela coming through to which we gave some fanfare for being the first Amtrak train to express through. After all this, several of us left and it boiled down to six of us, including Miles, Dylan, and I, and we got breakfast at the Modern Diner, and after which everyone aside from Miles and Dylan left. Here’s that video, by the way!
Empty comet carSee ya!Mansfield feels like the nighttime version of the first level of Tony Hawk’s UndergroundMMMMMM, DIESEL!First Amtrak of the day!See ya! – and Channel 10!South Coast extension!
The good: It’s right near the downtown of two MAJOR, and very populated cities! There hasn’t been revenue service around here since the ’80s when the old station was pretty much abandoned by the MBTA, and RIDOT finally replaced it – 17 years after building a rail yard nearby for Keolis. And, for what it’s worth, it’s decent but it’s got one MAJOR flaw that prevents it from being more than an above average station. Plus, you have all of RIPTA’s Pawtucket-area routes, and weekend service on the MBTA too! It’s hella more than Wickford! And, if this was my first impression of Rhode Island, after living in Boston or wherever else, I’d say this place would make a pretty good first impression. You also have a small commuter lot, 200 spaces, for what it’s worth.
The bad: Remember when I said there’s one major flaw? Yeah, it’s the bathrooms and lack of an indoor waiting area. Sure, the shelters could be rectified with heating, and if I remember someone from RIPTA said they’d be looking into installing heaters, but the fact RIDOT valued out bathrooms and indoor waiting areas is HORRIBLE. What were they thinking?! And it’s a major terminal for buses, too! (POST EDIT: Apparently even the Commuter Rail part got value engineered to hell! There were plans for two additional tracks so that Amtrak trains can express, but RIDOT really said “nope!” Stuff like this is probably why the Providence Line is neutered, and that’s not considering the lack of electrified tracks in Attleboro, Warwick, and North Kingstown!)
Nearby points of interest: You’ve got Slater Mill and the various local-owned shops of Pawtucket and Central Falls! Hasbro HQ isn’t too far, either. If you’re like Miles and Jackson and enjoy diners, you’ve also got the Modern Diner, which has a streamlined design (apparently the last of its kind?!), and even that aside they have pretty decent food. Just don’t play around near the Wyatt Detention Center. A ticket machine for RIPTA and the Commuter Rail would be nice too.
Overall, it’s a very, VERY good station for what it is. Yes, it’s majorly lacking and the bathrooms are just porta-toilets (which, I don’t count), but for what it does have, it’s a pretty good station with a mix of foamer potential, bus service, WEEKEND SERVICE (*cough unlike Wickford*), and decent geography near two major town centers. And, for that, I still think it’s worthy of a high rating, but not a 9 or 10.
Rating: 7.5/10
And below are some foamer shots I got over the course of the morning!
Freight!Same train, but the ass!The dignitary train!Oh, hi!And leaving. Oh look, foamers.And another one!A Regional crests the bendThe ribboncutting ceremony!Well that’s a freakin’ lie!And another one!TWO OF THEM?!Overhead Acela!Another P&W!The ass of that trainOverhead Regional!Bye!
So, we go from the end of the line to the middle of downtown Boston. Let’s look at Chinatown, shall we?
Shiny!
So, the platform is a little dark, but the signage is also shiny weirdly. But, hey, I’ll take it. Fare control is a little small as well, and there’s stairs and elevators up to Washington and Essex Streets. Yeah, not a lot to talk about with the mezzanine, but it’s your standard affair. The headhouses are also alright, with patterned fencing things. However, there’s one major issue: no free crossovers. Yeah, that’s a yikes. But hey, it’s likely you’ll encounter tourists here along with the SL4 and SL5 at street level! Except there’s no shelter or anything. Oh well! Apparently there’s also a pair of abandoned entrances, but I didn’t seem to find them on street level.
OH NO, DOTS!A little blurry, eh?And the Oak Grove side (thanks Brooke!)Stairs!A headhouse!
The good: Well, it’s in a tourist destination (Chinatown), although relative to others it’s not that big a place. But, still, Boston’s Chinatown is still a place worth checking out if you have the time.
The bad: No free crossovers?! WHY?! Also, the lackluster Silver Line stop. I couldn’t even tell at a quick glance due to the lack of signage or shelters!
Nearby points of interest: Well, you’ve got Chinatown! Alternatively, Boston Common is a stone’s throw away as is Boylston, along with a few theaters.
Transit connections: Orange Line Silver Line (SL4, SL5) MBTA bus (11)
Overall, it’s not the best of stations. Yeah, I’m not sure what it is with downtown stations just overall being grade A trash seemingly, but this fits the bill. Hopefully that changes when I check out the transfer stations and Tufts Medical later down the road. Just maybe…
Ah, Orient Heights. Yeah, this one wasn’t too terribly exciting either. But, it’s got something the other stations lack! Let’s look.
Helvetica!
Of course, you have two platforms, with fare control lining the fencing on either side. It’s nothing much, but it gets the job done. And, hey, at least there’s a crossover within fare control! Neat…..except there’s a FENCE running down the bridge halfway! WHY?! At least, there’s a busway on the Bowdoin-bound side. And, hey, for foamers it’s nice since you have the Blue Line yard and you’re also in walking distance to the beach, if airplanes are your thing.
See ya!From the overpass!The stairs & escalator!Fare control!The busway!THE YARD…History!
The good: Well, it’s in the middle of a residential neighborhood, has a busway with a countdown clock, and (somehow missing it) a surprising amount of parking. Yeah, this is technically a park & ride!
The bad: The emergency exits. My friend almost went through one in attempt to find the crossover, for crying out loud! I mean, yeah, it’s not big, but it shouldn’t be that easy for an idiot to try going through the emergency exit!
Nearby points of interest: You have Orient Heights Beach! Yeah, I don’t know a lot about the area.
Transit connections: Blue Line MBTA bus (120, 712, 713)
Overall, it’s an alright station for what it is. Sure, it doesn’t have the glitz and glamor of Assembly or the ugly concrete hellscapeness of Oak Grove (wink wink), but it still stands out- wait, are those solar panels on the roof? Yeah, I’m not sure but look at satellite imagery makes it seem so.
