Category: MBTA

Alrighty, the first of several Haymarket North stations! So, first up is Community College, or as a friend suggested for a rename: “Bunker Hill”. Which, is fair, but whatever. Either way, welcome to Community College!

WHAT? I CAN’T HEAR YOU OVER I-93!!! YOU’- Oh, I can hear now with the cars being drowned out! Yay! So, welcome to Community College, the first hunk of concrete. The platform is “meh” and has seating and wastebaskets. The columns look fancy, though!

Then, from there, you have elevators and a long walk to the mezzanine. As for the mezzanine itself, there’s not a lot to it. Going outside, Bunker Hill Community College has a footpath to the station itself, and you can even see the Bunker Hill monument in the distance! Neat! However, there’s no bus connections. That’s not fun!

The good: It’s convenient for BHCC students & faculty! Also, pedestrian access sorta exists!

The bad: IT’S STROAD HELL. IT’S UNDER I-93, AND IT’S FREAKIN’ UGLY!!! NO, JUST NO!

Nearby points of interest: Bunker Hill Community College!

Transit connections:
Orange Line

Overall, why? God, please run buses out here!!!!! It’s ugly, loud, and you can probably inhale an ungodly amount of gasoline fumes here! WOOOOO!!!!!

Rating: 3/10

Alrighty, so finally after escaping the hellscape known as the Southwest Corridor, next stop is Tufts Medical Center! May as well do it now, as the Orange Line wasn’t being bussed thankfully.

*nervously laughs*

Dear God. Well, let’s go into Tufts Medical.

Well, first off, Tufts Medical has ART! And HOLY CRAP it’s NICE to look at! However, the aesthetic of the station itself reminds me quite a bit of Chinatown. Either way, it’s certainly on the dingy side. There’s bathrooms, but sadly they were locked. As for exits, you have one exit towards Washington St. and the Silver Line, with the other exit going towards the Wang Theater and Tremont Street, but only the Washington St. exit is accessible. And also, the elevators STILL don’t reek of piss! Only one issue: THE PIPES ARE LEAKY!!!

At this point after changing sides, the announcement for the next train comes on, however it says “Attention passengers, the next Orange Line train to Forest Hills does NOT take passengers. Please stand back from the yellow line”. Oh boy, nonrevenue train! That’s rare! It’s also the rare instance where we heard the horns on the CRRCs.

From here, we got on the next Oak Grove train and would ultimately part ways at State Street (Brooke got off, while a friend and I stayed on). So, with that in mind, next stop: Community College!

The good: It can handle a lot of people! Also, it’s not the worst spot for railfanning the Orange Line, but there’s certainly better spots, especially when the Orange is primarily above-ground. Lastly, there’s art! And, at least the tunnels don’t go on forever!

The bad: Eh, I’m not big on the aesthetics. It feels dingy as well, certainly bad enough to where I needed a hardy helping of hand sanitizer.

Nearby points of interest: The station’s namesake, the Wang Theater, and Chinatown isn’t that far away!

Transit connections:
Orange Line
Silver Line (SL4, SL5)
MBTA bus (11, 15)

Overall, it’s passable, however it leaves a bit to be desired. I mean, hey, at least it isn’t Arlington!

Rating: 5.5/10

And now, stay tuned for Haymarket North!

Next stop on the line is Massachusetts Avenue, and thank GOD it’s the last bastion of the brutal hellscape known as the Southwest Corridor!!! So, any keen-eyed reader would’ve noted that I got a message asking my whereabouts on the Southwest Corridor. So, who, exactly, would be inclined enough to tag along with me for any given amount of time???

I’ll tell you who: Brooke, the resident board meeting watcher on the Miles in Transit Discord server!

Yeah, a little surprising. She and I all did a little bit more in the way of foaming at Roxbury Crossing before proceeding on to Massachusetts Avenue. So, how IS Massachusetts Avenue? Well, it’s actually kinda decent!

So, the platforms are pretty much the same things as usual: benches, wastebaskets, but no shelters. Also, Brooke pointed out something I otherwise wouldn’t have noticed: WHY ARE THE SIGNS IN HELVETICA BOLD GROSSLY INCONSISTENT?! It’s not so much the typeface itself that irks me, but WHY ARE THEY ALIGNED DIFFERENTLY?! One is center-aligned as normal, but then you have a few that are left-aligned, and one’s even JUSTIFIED ALIGNED. WHY?! GOD, WHY?! Anyways, I digress. There’s also an exit to Camden Street, but there’s no fare control so screw you if you want in.

As for the mezzanine, it’s pretty standard. But, hey, you have a glass overlook towards the tracks. Also, there’s a Subway! Neat! Furthermore, there’s another entrance across the street in a small mini-park, which is always nice! And, yes, there’s fare control! As another aside, if you’re into railfanning and photography, you have a nice vantage point with the stairs to Camden Street.

The good: You’ve got a lot of ways in and out! Furthermore, there’s a park across the street and also BlueBikes! Neat! Lastly, you have an on-foot transfer to Symphony on the Green Line, woohoo! It’s also a little more modern-feeling than the other stations, so there’s that as well.

The bad: Camden Street needs faregates!

Nearby points of interest: There’s the park across the street! Also, Symphony is close by so pretty much everything close to there is close to here too. Furthermore, you have Northeastern’s sporting arenas for college sports fans. Also, Matthews Arena in particular is the oldest ice hockey arena still in use as such. Neat!

Transit connections:
Orange Line
MBTA bus (1)
Green Line (E, via short walk to Symphony)

Overall, this station’s pretty much peak Southwest Corridor. For what it is, it does the job and does it very well. Now, if only we had faregates for the Camden St. entrance, IT’D BE PERFECT!!!

Rating: 9.5/10

So, you have Jackson Square, a modestly busy bus transfer point, complete with a busway. And, just north, you also have Ruggles, a much more busy transfer point with buses, and also with Commuter Rail transfers as well. So, where does that leave Roxbury Crossing, sandwiched between two titans? Well, it leaves Roxbury Crossing as a fine little sleepy station. Let’s look.

So, the platform is pretty much the same usual stuff we’ve come to love. That is, of course, the usual. Say it along with me: “Bench shelters, weird supports that look like ribs, benches, wastebaskets!! Oh my!”

So, going up into the mezzanine, I noticed something odd. I think that this is quite possibly the only MBTA station which, instead of a Dunkies’, instead has Dominos in its place. Yeah, that’s a new one! (I mean, Dominos isn’t great, but it’s still a change of pace!) Furthermore, the mezzanine is a little large given the relative lack of ridership. As for bus connections, they’re found on Tremont St. and Columbus Avenue, and yes they have shelters. Neat! And the elevator doesn’t reek of piss! Three for three!

The good: It’s nice and quiet, relative to Ruggles and Jackson Square! Also, it’s the closest stop to several places of interest in the area, and what have you. It’s also got your standard Southwest Corridor affair, and the elevator doesn’t smell bad.

The bad: WHERE’S THE DUNKIES?! It also feels slightly dated.

Nearby points of interest: You got a mosque and Roxbury Community College nearby! OH, AND THERE IS A DUNKIES! Unfortunately, it’s a few blocks up the street. D: There’s also a vocational school, so there’s that.

Transit connections:
Orange Line
MBTA bus (22, 29, 66)

Overall, it’s probably one of the best stations on the Southwest Corridor that isn’t a major transfer point. Also, the fact that it doesn’t have an in-station Dunkin’ is interesting, albeit a national tragedy.

Rating: 7.5/10

Now, at this point, I decided to have an early lunch/2nd breakfast, and break out the store-brand toaster pastries I packed. This was also when I got a message on Discord from a familiar (not so much on this blog, but I knew them) face asking about my whereabouts along the Southwest Corridor. So, stay tuned for that!

Ah, Jackson Square. Now, I’m not sure if it’s named after the US president (vleugh), or the King of Pop himself, or some other guy or lady with the surname “Jackson”, but here we go, yet another Southwest Corridor station.

The platform is the same deal as the other Southwest Corridor stations.

*copy-pastes*

That, being, sheltered things, benches, wastebaskets, and the usual Southwest Corridor affair. Yeah, still not a fan. Elevators don’t reek of urine here, either, but they did smell funny if I remember right. There’s also plenty of art scattered about, which is a REALLY nice touch, and on top of that: THERE’S A BUSWAY!!!

So, the busway isn’t anything special though. However, you do have schedules for the routes stopping here sitting outside fare control, which is always helpful. As for local things, you have the Southwest Corridor Park adjacent to the station!

The good: ART! It’s got a lot of art everywhere! Also, the busway and the bus schedules are nice to have! Furthermore, the elevator doesn’t reek, and it’s a Southwest Corridor stop!

The bad: Unfortunately, that means the platforms are also quite dark, being a Southwest Corridor stop. And, the busway could actually use shelters. Also, some people might find themselves uncomfortable being around here, with the Bromley-Heath Projects being next door and known for unsavory activity (at least, that’s what the research I did pointed to, if I’m wrong please do correct me). However, unless it’s a literal warzone, I don’t like to factor in the notoriety of public housing into the ratings of these. Also, while I’m not big on the architecture, it’s still better than Green St. and Stony Brook.

Nearby points of interest: The Southwest Corridor Park is a big one, as are the housing projects on Centre Street!

Transit connections:
Orange Line
MBTA bus (14, 22, 29, 41, 44)

Overall, I actually kinda like this station. However, the architecture is still “meh”, and the platforms are kinda dingy. But, hey, at least it finally has bus connections!

Rating: 7/10

Alrighty, next stop up from Green Street is Stony Brook! Is there anything major to differentiate it? Well, who knows, but let’s look!

So, the platform is pretty much the same deal with Green Street. That is, of course, the usual shelter-like things with benches, wastebins, concrete everywhere. However, it’s like Quincy Center in that it feels like an actual “subway” rather than just a subway that’s obviously above-ground. The mezzanine is nice too, as you have a window overlooking the Orange Line and the Northeast Corridor. However, the headhouse is pretty much the same, just with arches instead of the slanted roof. But, hey, there’s more businesses nearby along with a park! Sure would suck to lose a basketball to an Acela though. At least the elevator doesn’t smell of piss!

The good: Art! Furthermore, it, just like Green Street, is located in a quiet neighborhood where bus connections aren’t really necessary. The window can also prove to be an alright place to railfan, should the weather be undesirable. But, mostly the art!

The bad: Eh, I’m not really big on the architecture here either. Also, how the hell is it so dark at platform level?!

Nearby points of interest: There’s a few parks! Plus, while it’ll take some effort, you have Egelston Square nearby as well!

Transit connections:
Orange Line

Overall, this station’s pretty good as well. Essentially, pretty much anything I had to remark about Green Street also applies here. But, why so dark???????

Rating: 7/10

Why, just why, did they have to sign the station as “GREEN” with an orange background? It’s like one of those tests that have you say what the name of the color spelled out is, but the background (and/or text color) is a different color entirely. Anyways, enough rambling, let’s look at the least-used station on the entire Orange Line, Green Street!

So, the platforms are pretty bogstandard. You’ve got benches, wastebaskets, elevators and an escalator in one direction only. Furthermore, you have weird shelter things for the benches. I’m not sure why they’re here, but whatever. I’m also not exactly keen on the aesthetic style of brutalism used down here, but I’ve seen far worse *cough CCRI Warwick!*. Up in the mezzanine, it’s spacious, and the main entrance drops you off at the station’s namesake, Green Street. It’s pretty much all residential, with some shopping a few blocks away in either direction, and there’s also a park nearby. Neat! I’m also proud to state that the elevator doesn’t smell like urine!

The good: It’s quiet! Furthermore, there’s a certain charm I like about niche stations that are designed for small neighborhoods like this one. Like, I just enjoy their existence, and furthermore this station isn’t dingy. And, it doesn’t need bus connections.

The bad: Meh, not big on the architecture.

Nearby points of interest: There’s some parking on Washington St. and Centre St.! There’s also a few parks nearby.

Transit connections:
Orange Line

Overall, I like this station. For what it is, it’s a nice small station that’s quiet and doesn’t try to be anything more or less than what it is. The architecture leaves some to be desired, though.

Rating: 7.5/10

Whenever I hear “Green Line” with context of the MBTA, this branch is oftentimes the first to pop into my mind. Maybe it’s because I’ve ridden it more than the others, or it’s just plain more memorable, but either way, it’s the first thing I think of with “Green Line”.

So, the line starts at the newly-opened Medford/Tufts station in, well, Medford. This opened in December 2022 (and I was there on day 1, picture above!), and it was hype. Around here are a few street-level bus connections, but mainly Tufts University is the draw. Going down, you have several stops at Ball Square, Gilman Square (near Somerville HS, thank GOD it’s not another case of “let’s build an eyesore above the ROW like on the D branch!“). I digress, there. For this section, the ROW parallels the Lowell Line until it splits at East Somerville, and it merges at Lechmere. It goes through the central subway, however unlike the other three, it splits at Copley and stops at two different underground stops: Prudential and Symphony. Unfortunately, one of those aren’t accessible yet. But, the four median stops are, as we pop out onto Huntington Avenue. As we pass through Northeastern’s campus, we’re soon met by Brigham Circle where the line spills into the street itself, with four more stops, and looping at Heath Street.

The good: It’s varied! I mean, you have all the variants of light rail repped here (elevated, underground, median, and street-running). Furthermore, the stops are spaced and, outside the street-running stretch near Heath St., it’s fast! However….

The bad: The street-running section renders the line unpredictable due to traffic. Yikes. Also, no Commuter Rail connection on the GLX?

Nearby points of interest: You got Longwood, Northeastern’s campus, the Christian Science HQ, the Prude, and various areas in Somerville and Tufts Unviersity!

Overall, it’s an alright branch. I still prefer the D over this one, but it’s still not that bad a branch, and it’s certainly unique on the MBTA, and in New England for that matter.

Rating: 7/10

The Highland branch of the Boston & Albany Railroad was a former rail line running from South Station to Riverside via Back Bay, and operated as a loop with the second half being the Worcester mainline. Unfortunately, the B&A fell on hard times, sold the line, and eventually shuttered its doors, with the MTA (now the MBTA) buying the line in the ’50s.

Now, what does that have to do with the Green Line?

I’ll tell you what: the Highland branch became the D branch of the Green Line!

So, the D branch starts all the way up in Union Square in Somerville. From there, it goes down to Lechmere via the new Lechmere Viaduct, into North Station, and runs through the central subway to Kenmore. Then, it splits, and it’s very wooded from here, making various turns and whatnot with some retaining walls indicating its past as a commuter rail branch as it passes through Brookline’s and Newton’s various stations, ending at Riverside (near I-95!). In terms of how it runs, it’s very much grade-separated the entire way.

The good: It’s the fastest of the 4 branches! (Well, slow zones aside) Furthermore, traffic doesn’t affect it as it’s fully grade-separated! Take that, B and E branches! And, it’s all woodlands, in stark contrast to the urban nature of the others. The stations mostly all have indoor heated areas, too, which is nice!

The bad: Some of the stations are “meh” like they’re copy-pasted. Also, slow zones can make this painful. Some stations aren’t accessible, either.

Nearby points of interest: Brookline High is directly above one of the stations, for those that attend school there! Furthermore, Newton Highlands and Newton Centre have some interesting things around them, while Woodland, Eliot, and Waban are nice for railfanning the branch, as is Longwood.

Overall, this is pretty much the best branch. Which, is good because it’s my favorite as well. Being grade separated helps, and most of the stops are decent and among the best on the Green Line.

Rating: 9/10

Alrighty, so the B branch sucked greatly, so let’s see how the C branch stacks up.

The C branch terminates out in Cleveland Circle in Brookline, however technically it could terminate at Reservoir, if need be, due to the presence of an extra set of platforms. From here, it runs down the median of Beacon Street, through a residential neighborhood in Brookline. In fact, from here there’s several points where you can walk to get a D branch train, with Dean Road being a walk from Beaconsfield. There’s not much to remark about on Beacon Street, although there are points where the scenery looks nice. Besides, most stops here are just like the B branch, but slightly wider. For one, you have the right of way in the side of a hill between Washington Square and Coolidge Corner. Furthermore, Coolidge Corner in of itself is a pretty nice foaming spot on the branch, while you also have shopping. There’s also some churches and other old buildings lining the street as well. Neat! Eventually, St. Mary’s St. (& its on-foot transfer to Fenway) marks the end of the branch, sadly, as it goes into Kenmore and runs into the central subway to Government Center.

The good: It serves Beacon Street in Brookline! Plus, it’s relatively short.

The bad: Many of these stops are dubious (though not to the same degree as the B) and lack bus alternatives. Furthermore, they’re pretty close!

Nearby points of interest: Coolidge Corner is cool! Furthermore, the Chestnut Hill reservoir is nearby, as is the B and D branches at Cleveland Circle! Yeah, I’m at a loss with how residential it is.

Overall, it’s alright. It’s definitely better than the B branch, that’s for sure. However, I’d personally put the D and E above it.

Rating: 6/10