Month: October 2022

Finally, the last Providence Line station! And it’s also an Orange Line station! Man, is it nice to be back in the Southwest Corridor.

Alright, so the Orange Line platform is kinda underground (essentially, the building is an overpass), but it provides protection from rain. Oh yeah, the Orange Line opened up about half a month before writing this. Nevertheless, my friend and I went up to the main area.

So, the mezzanine was spacious and had a few businesses. Oh yeah, there’s a Dunkin’ as well. Going further, there’s a busway that can be found that’s spacious and there’s also a Dunkin’, along with CharlieCard machines.

Moving on to the Commuter Rail, the platform is depressing to a degree, being not the most aesthetically pleasing area. However, despite half the platform being closed off on one side, there’s still benches and wastebins along with countdown signs. The one for track 2 is on the side platform, while track 1/3’s is at Dunkin’.

As for train service, you’ll see Amtrak express, but pretty much every train passing will stop for the MBTA.

The good: It’s close to Northeastern University! It’s also got a number of bus routes, with it being the primary transit center for Roxbury. It’s also a short on-foot transfer away from the Green Line’s E branch, by way of Northeastern’s stop.

The bad: The platforms are just sad! Like, I get it’s the Southwest Corridor, but at least open the Commuter Rail platform a little more! Also, what’s with the station being mostly closed on Sundays, including Dunkin’? Just a nitpick.

Nearby points of interest: Northeastern University is the big one! Nubian Square is also a little ways away.

Transit connections:
Commuter Rail (Franklin, Foxboro, Needham, Providence, Stoughton)
Orange Line
MBTA bus (8, 9, 15, 19, 22, 23, 28, 29, 43, 44, 45, 47, CT2, CT3)

Overall, it’s a well-placed station. It can get a little cold during the winter (esp. if today is any indication), but it’s not that bad a station. But please, extend the Commuter Rail platform!

Rating: 7/10

Woah, what a wicked awesome town! Wait, is it? Oh crap, it’s Salem. Uh, uh, I can reassure the jury I’m not a witch at least. So, how good is th- and it’s a park & ride.

So after getting off the 455, we’re greeted by the busway. Of course, from the outset, there’s so much parking some’s even outside. Nevertheless, looking at the parking garage, it’s clear that unlike Wickford Junction, it’s actually well-utilized. Plus, there’s some MBTA logos slapped on it. Going inside, one can find a waiting area (which was kinda cold, today, likely because the air outside comes in) and a Pedal & Park. The platform is also fully high-level, which is nice on a line that’s mostly mini-highs. Except for River Works, we don’t talk about River Works. Oh yeah, there’s also a tunnel on one end going right through downtown.

The good: Well, it’s centrally-ish located in Salem! And it’s open-air, unlike Back Bay. It’s also pretty much fully unobstructed unlike the Southwest Corridor. Plus, the amount of parking is good, unlike at Wickford since it’s actually utilized. In fact, this is the most-used station outside zone 1A!

The bad: Well, I guess the curve can lead to a gap between the platform and train. The stairs might also be annoying, but there’s an elevator if you need accessibility.

Nearby points of interest: Well, Salem! You’ve got all the wicked witchy tourist attractions around town that everyone comes here for!

Transit connections:
Commuter Rail (Newburyport, Rockport)
MBTA bus (435, 450, 451, 455, 456)

Overall, this is a pretty decent station. It’s just outside downtown Salem, doesn’t seem out of place due to being a little ways away (but still walking distance), and is in a walkable area. It’s wicked good for a park & ride, at that.

Rating: 8/10