Waban (Green Line)

Whelp, Welcome to Waban. What a weird name. Just, just try saying it! “WABAN!!!” It just sounds weird and amusing! I like it. Oh lordy, if only the station itself was this good! Actually, it kinda is good! Let’s look.

See ya!

First off, you have the usual D branch amenities: heated waiting area, unheated shelters, a relatively anemic amount of parking. Usual stuff that’s not out of place. It’s nice and quiet, I’ll add! But, why is the only entrance from Wyman Street? Yeah, that’s an odd one. It does feel like a nice small town center, though, so there’s that. Either way, not a bad station. It’s got character.

Helvetica!
Parking and Wyman Street!
The inside of the heated shelter. Just some CharlieCard machines here!
A Type 9?!

The good: It’s got character! Like, yeah it sucks this station isn’t accessible, but I like the small village feel of the area around it. It’s also nice and quiet, tranquil even as Miles puts it in his entry. And, there’s some parking if needed. Oh yeah, the Catch Connect will pick you up here too!

The bad: Eh, there’s only one way in and out. It’s also not accessible. Mostly the accessibility. Wait, what???? YOU MEAN THERE’S PLANS TO MAKE THIS, ALONG WITH BEACONSFIELD, CHESTNUT HILL, AND ELIOT ACCESSIBLE?! GOD-FUCKING-DAMMIT WHY DIDN’T I KNOW ABOUT THIS EARLIER?!

Whelp, once these renovations/rebuilds are done, guess this one’s going to get a score increase. But, for now, the scores are based on the state of the stations as of March 2023.

Nearby points of interest: There’s a church behind the inbound platform! Also, a small shopping area on Beacon Street. There’s also a pizzeria I need to try out at some point here.

Transit connections:
Green Line (D)
MWRTA (Catch Connect)

Overall, I really like this station. It sucks that it isn’t accessible currently, but it’s good there’s plans to make it ADA compliant. Also, I just plain like the area it’s in. (admittedly, part of why it’s getting the score it’s getting)

Rating: 7.5/10

Washington Square & St. Mary St. (Green Line)

Alrighty, the last two stations of the C branch! Let’s see what these two stations have! Meet: Washington Square and St. Mary Street!

The square itself

Washington Square and St. Mary Street are like Coolidge Corner in that they’re accessible and have a bit more in the way of amenities. However, unlike Coolidge, there’s not as much charm or character. Both stations have wider platforms, shelters, and benches on both sides, along with wheelchair lifts and level boarding. In terms of transit connections, Washington Square also has the 65, while St. Mary lacks here. These stops also remind me a bit of the E branch’s median stops, as well. Also, just like Coolidge, you also have funky-looking traffic lights. Don’t believe they’re funny-looking? Here.

Weird looking light
Helvetica!
Train!
St. Mary’s St.! (much of the same)
Yeah, not much else to remark.

The good: They’re accessible! Furthermore, you have shelters on BOTH sides, rather than just outbound (really???). Washington Square also has a bus connection: the 65! Neat! Overall, many of the good things about the E’s median stops would apply to these two as well.

The bad: What applied to said E branch stops also apply here: Lack of countdown clocks. Except, unlike the E, no mixed traffic further up the line.

Nearby points of interest: Some shopping around both stops!

Transit connections:
Green Line (C)
MBTA bus (65, at Washington Square)

Overall, they’re alright. Serviceable, quite nice, even. There’s just not a lot to add that I haven’t mentioned yet.

Rating: 6.5/10

Various Green Line (C) median stops

Alrighty, now to various C branch stops! So, what’s on the menu? Let’s see: How about Hawes St., Kent St., St. Paul St., Summit Ave., Brandon Hall, Fairbanks St., Tappan St., Dean Rd., and Englewood Ave.? Yes? Alright, let’s dig into it.

Englewood Ave.!

Now, most of these stops are similar to the B’s median stops, which are copy-pastes of each other. Sadly, that’s also the case here. Some of them happen to have parking, but none of them are accessible. There’s also shelters – on the outbound side. WHY?! Now that I think of it, isn’t St. Paul St. also on the B branch?

*does research*

Huh, there IS one on the B branch! Or, there WAS, before being consolidated into Amory Street (which is half-decent). So, what happened here? I’m not sure, and I don’t want to know. Furthermore, who’s Brandon and what’s his hall? Well, it turns out with THAT one, it’s a former hotel. Nevertheless, these stops are just godawful, too close, and should be consolidated down to 1-2 stops per bunch. It’s at least slightly better than the B branch’s stops, though that doesn’t say too much.

Breda!
Another stop!
Brandon Hall!
WHY IS THERE A SHELTER ON THE OUTBOUND SIDE?!
Vleugh!

The good: Well, it’s kinda nice! I mean, you got half of Beacon Street elevated on a hill, with plenty of greenery! However, that’s only true for Summit Ave., Fairbanks St., and Brandon Hall. As for the rest of the stops, it’s still pretty peaceful, and you even get a little bit of metered parking! Neat!

The bad: There’s no accessibility!!! And, WHY ARE THERE SHELTERS ON THE OUTBOUND SIDE?! LIKE, SURE, NOONE WILL EVER WANT SHELTERING GOING INBOUND (WHICH IS A LOT OF PEOPLE!!!) Also, these stops are kinda sorry like the B branch’s street stops, though not to the same degree

Nearby points of interest: Housing, housing everywhere!

Transit connections:
Green Line (C)

Overall, they’re alright enough. Serviceable, however not a lot to remark about in general, though a bus connection to Reservoir from one of the underground stations (Back Bay, Copley, or Kenmore, perhaps?) via Beacon Street would be nice.

Rating: 5.5/10

Woodland (Green Line)

Alrighty, we’re pretty far out for this one. In fact, we’re so far out, we’re pretty much in MWRTA territory. I repeat, we’re in turf that the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority operates on!!! Yeah, that’s how you know you’re far out, when the MBTA themselves don’t run normal buses out here. Nevertheless, welcome to Woodland!

Helvetica, pretty far out at that!

So, what’s special about Woodland? Well, it’s pretty much one of two stations where MBTA and MWRTA overlap (the other being Waban). Bus connections here include the 1 (MWRTA, not MBTA) and the Catch Connect. As for the Green Line platforms, there’s not a lot, as you have a bus shelter and a heated shelter with a CharlieCard machine. Neat! The area itself doesn’t have a lot going on, just some TOD, a hospital, and a few country clubs. There’s also an unassuming ramp entrance on Washington Street as well. Plus, I’ll have to admit this station felt quite relaxing to be in/around. There’s also a parking garage nearby, neat! So, park & ride, anyone?

Eh, this didn’t come out well
Shelters!
Nope!
We’re REALLY far from the T now!

The good: You got your MWRTA! Also, a copious amount of parking in the offchance Riverside is overflowing. Furthermore, TOD! Woohoo! Also, sheltered area!

The bad: Eh, I don’t have a lot here.

Nearby points of interest: Country clubs and a nearby hospital! Also, MWRTA! Yeah, not a lot of decent land use here.

Transit connections:
Green Line (D)
MWRTA (1, Catch Connect)

Overall, this is probably one of the best stations on the D branch. Furthermore, it’s got MWRTA!

Rating: 8.5/10

Chestnut Hill (Green Line)

Wait, didn’t we already do Chestnut Hill? Oh, oh, oh, that’s Chestnut Hill AVENUE! Oh, okay! Well, at least this one is guaranteed to be a better station. Let’s look at this station, I guess.

Bye!!!

Well, there’s not a lot here. You’ve got some parking, a glass heated shelter, and a wood unheated shelter. Countdown clocks also exist! However, no level boarding. Furthermore, it’s nice and quiet as well. It’s also pretty deep in a residential neighborhood, so there’s that as well. Woohoo!

Tracks!
Parking!
Signage!

The good: Okay, I lied. Technically this station is accessible on paper, somewhat. It’s got a lift! Furthermore, it’s got some parking if (for whatever reason) you drive in. Also, it’s got a heated waiting area in typical D branch fashion. However, there’s no tactile safety strip, so yeah.

The bad: It’s not fully accessible. No tactile safety strip. If there were more snow and it wasn’t clear, I’d probably have a harder time finding the tracks and know when to stop moving towards them. But, mostly accessibility here.

Nearby points of interest: Eh, not a lot here. Route 9 has some stuff, but do you really want to walk there?

Transit connections:
Green Line (D)

Overall, I’m indifferent towards this and most of the stations. It’s alright and serviceable, but there’s nothing much that stands out here.

Rating: 6.5/10

Symphony (Green Line)

So, from one awful Green Line station to another, slightly worse station. How much worse is the next station southbound from Prudential? Well, let’s take a look, shall we?

See ya!

So, starting off, the platforms are pretty dark-looking but also well-lit. It’s similar to Prudential with the lighting, and someone had fans going down here as well. Might’ve been overkill, but whatever. Going on up, you don’t have free crossovers so, uh, screw you if you enter the wrong way. The mezzanine is a little less dingy than Prudential’s and there’s even art. Oh, how nice, you got Charlie playing what looks to be a cello (please don’t kill me if I’m wrong, band students!)

Helvetica – and HISTORY ABOUT CHARLIE ON THE MTA!
The mezzanine!
HI CHARLIE!

Whelp, now we know Symphony has bits of MBTA lore within. As for the headhouses, they’re copy-pasted glass/metal on all 4 corners of Huntington Ave. and Massachusetts Avenue. Oh yeah, there’s a bent up T.

One headhouse
Two of the others
Bent-up T!
This is outdated – lists Wollaston as closed!

The good: You’ve got the Symphony Hall nearby, along with the New England Conservatory!

The bad: Eh, it’s not the best in terms of aesthetics, but it’s not in dire need of a facelift. Also, while it’s not accessible, there ARE plans to actually make it so! So, props to the T for making Symphony ADA compliant! (as of writing this, however, that hasn’t happened yet).

Nearby points of interest: Symphony Hall is the big one! You’ve also got the Conservatory and, oddly enough, the Christian Science headquarters is nearby as well. And, as much as I generally hold a grudge towards organized religions, I’ll have to admit most of their headquarters (e.g. Temple Square in Utah, the Christian Science building, the Vatican in Italy to name a few) are quite beautiful pieces of architecture. But, that’s a tangent for another time.

Transit connections:
Green Line (E)
MBTA bus (1, 39)

Overall, I would take Symphony any day over Prudential. While it isn’t accessible and lacks free crossovers, at least it’s not as dingy and it’s got plans to be a better station. And, for that, I think it should get a higher rating.

Rating: 6/10

Christian Science ain’t science, but it’s very Christian.

Prudential (Green Line)

Prudential is a Fortune 500 company that owns various subsidiaries that specialize in insurance , investment management, retirement plans, and other financial services and products to various business customers, primarily in the realm of retail, along with various corporate entities. Various Prudential Centers were erected over time, with one such place being in Boston, and at that became one of the tallest buildings in the entire city. Even features an observation deck on the 50th floor! (which is now sadly closed since the 9/11 attacks)

Now, what the HELL does that have anything to do with what I talk about here? I’ll tell you what: they built a subway station here!

A section of the Prude
I spy a headhouse!

So, the headhouses are alright, you got your standard glass/metal affair outside, while the accessible entrances are within the Prudential Center itself. Going inside, it’s actually a little disgusting. Like, it’s not as bad as Arlington with the slime on the ceilings, but it’s up there for dinginess though. And, why do the lights buzz? Is this the backrooms?

Indoor access!
Vleugh!

I’ll at least give it a little bit of credit for having some art, but it’s still pretty dingy down here with the buzzing lights. Also, the pipes. What’s with all the pipes that seemingly overrun all the underground Green Line stops? Yeah, I’m not sure on that. Either way, it’s accessible, has benches and everything. Free fare crossovers too, even. As for buses, the 39 stops outside the station, so there’s that, and one could conceivably do an on-foot transfer to Back Bay from here.

Oh dear god
Helvetica!
This feels wrong
This feels VERY dingy
UMMMMMMMMMMM

The good: There’s art and it’s conveniently located in the Prude! Neat!

The bad: It’s so damn dingy! Like, this place seriously could use a facelift! Furthermore, it’s like it gets worse the deeper in you go, so there’s that too. And, it’s especially evident with the floor being very faded in the mezzanine too! Lastly, fix the elevator!

Nearby points of interest: The Prudential Center, duh!

Transit connections:
Green Line (E)
MBTA bus (9, 39, 55, 57)

Overall, I can see why some people wouldn’t like this station, and I second that sentiment. However, the convenience of it being in the Prude itself probably helps somewhat. Lastly, give this place a facelift and PLEASE fix the elevator!!!

Rating: 4.5/10

Various median Green Line (E) stops

Oh dear God, more median-centered Green Line stops. Whelp, duty calls I guess. So, to review these, I walked down Huntington Avenue at 6:30 AM. Here we go. And, yes, once you see one you’ve seen all of them.

Helvetica!

Whelp, we start off on the campus of Northeastern University, a short walk from Ruggles. What do we have here? Well, it’s not a lot. You’ve got some benches and some shelters, however there’s nothing spectacular here. And, unfortunately, that’s the same for all four of these stations. With that, let’s walk down to the other stations. Museum of Fine Arts has, you guessed it, the MFA right beside it. It’s also essentially the same as the BU stops, not a lot to comment about. Longwood Medical does not have any medical buildings, instead having the Massachusetts College of Art and Design by it- OH, there’s some medical stuff! The Harvard School of Public Health. Neat! Don’t tell your local Karen that! Lastly, there’s Brigham Circle, which didn’t have a lot at a glance, however it is where the E branch spills into the street towards Fenwood Road.

Northeastern’s platform
kinki
Museum of Fine Arts!
More helvetica!
And the museum itself!
BREDAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!
Towards downtown!
OH NO DOTS!!!
wooooo, faux BRT!
EXCUSE ME, I’M IN NEED OF SOME MEDICAL ATTENTION!!!
This isn’t medical!
Oh, there’s the medical!
Last one – Brigham!
Helvetica!
woooooo, crossovers!
oops, the ROW ends and spills into the street
Onwards to Fenwood Road!
more kinki
Woooo, bunching!!!!!
OH NO MORE DOTS!!!!!!

The good: They’re serviceable, whatever “pros” apply to the BU stops also apply here (shelters, seating), just without countdown clocks

The bad: Good luck with the E branch’s reliability since it spills into mixed traffic past Brigham! Furthermore, the lack of countdown clocks!

Nearby points of interest: You got the MFA, Longwood, Northeastern’s campus, and even the Wentworth Institute of Technology in reach. Yeah. The Back Bay Fens is also close by!

Transit connections:
Green Line (E)
MBTA bus (39)
Orange Line & Commuter Rail (at Ruggles, short walk from Northeastern)

Overall, they’re serviceable. There’s just not much to talk about here that wasn’t already talked about with the BU stops, and there’s only so much I can do milking a dead cow. As such, it gets a similar rating to the BU stops.

Rating: 5/10

Eliot (Green Line)

Alrighty, Eliot, this one’s for you!

Helvetica!

So, Eliot isn’t exactly known for being around much. At the station itself, you have some parking (oh my, another park & ride), your usual heated glass shelter, and accessible boarding. There’s also a bike rack on the outbound side (why???), with access from local streets. You’ve also got access from MA-9, but why would you want to cross a wannabe freeway???? Just, why?

Bye!
Looking towards Riverside!
Parking!

The good: It’s got lots of local access from the immediate area. Plus, the usual pluses of the D branch with heated waiting areas.

The bad: The nearby highway kills it. Also, there’s no accessible boarding – DESPITE THE SIGNS DESIGNATING ACCESSIBLE ENTRANCES/EXITS. WHY, HOW, WHY?! WHO THE FUCK IS GOING TO WALK UP/DOWN THE RAMP ON ROUTE 9?!

Nearby points of interest: Not a lot over here.

Transit connections:
Green Line (D)

Overall, this station actually kinda sucks. No accessible boarding and it’s right next to a highway, it’s gonna be pretty bad overall. Ugh.

Rating: 5.5/10

Beaconsfield (Green Line)

Bustitutions? What are those? Well, I don’t know, and it doesn’t matter because they never stop here! Welcome to Beaconsfield, children!

See ya!

So, what’s special about Beaconsfield? Well, it’s so small you can’t bustitute it! One side has a heated waiting area typical of the branch, while the other lacks in amenities a bit. Unsurprising, as most people probably aren’t going outbound from here. Well, either way, you got a small amount of parking too making this technically a park & ride! Woohoo!!! Oh yeah, there’s an on-foot transfer to Dean Road on the C branch too. Neat.

Parking!
Looking towards Riverside!

The good: It’s a small station primarily for the local residents! Also, it’s nice and quiet, which is to be expected being deep in a residential neighborhood in Brookline.

The bad: It’s not accessible! It also doesn’t help the nearest stations (all on the C branch) aren’t accessible either! Also, it is annoying how D branch bustitutions bypass this station entirely, though to be fair the local streets are absolutely TINY.

Nearby points of interest: Eh, not much. There’s a playground at least.

Transit connections:
Green Line (D)

Overall, it’s alright, however the biggest issue I got with this station is the lack of accessibility. In general, I just don’t have a lot to note about it.

Rating: 6/10