Category: Public Transit

Next stop up, sandwiched between two relatively quiet stations, is Fields Corner! Fields Corner is the terminus for a couple bus routes, and it’s elevated! Neat! Let’s look.

So, the platforms are your standard Red Line affair of benches, wastebaskets, and signage. Furthermore, it’s completely sheltered, and you can even see a busway from the inbound platform! Neat! A few buses terminate or run through here, mostly to Quincy. Also, I’m not exactly sure why, but why does the busway not go out to Dorchester Avenue, requiring a maneuver to Geneva Ave.? Weird, but whatever. The mezzanine was also pretty fancy, and the lighting even had some red accents to go along with the Red Line theming. Neat! I also generally like how it’s elevated overall, since they’re a rarity on the MBTA. As another nice touch, you have an old-school sign pointing to the station on Dorchester Avenue! Just uhhh, be careful with the stairs if you’re walking up them.

The good: It’s elevated and stands out as such! Also, the old sign, the sheltering on the platform, and the mezzanine in general are all nice!

The bad: The busway seems inefficient. Also, the stairs are a tripping hazard with inconsistent sizing! I almost fell here!

Nearby points of interest: You got Dorchester and Geneva Avenues, and their associated businesses!

Transit connection: Red Line, MBTA bus (15, 17, 18, 19, 201, 202, 210, 215)

Overall, I like this station, however, those stairs are a tad bit problematic. The busway setup is also annoying, but aside from those it’s decent enough.

Rating: 6.5/10

Now, this ain’t no Ashmont. That much is clear. However, what does a subway station in a sleepy residential neighborhood, possibly also the closest thing to a Red Line’s Green Street, have? Let’s see.

First off, I would say this is the least-used Red Line station, but I’d be full of shit despite how quiet the station is. However, it’s definitely up there. The platforms are ugly with the choice of coloring (really, off-beige to piss yellow???). However, it has your standard bench and wastebasket affair, and the fact it’s underground doesn’t disturb the peaceful neighborhood above. Neat!

The mezzanine is alright enough, a bit generic but there’s enough natural light. As for the headhouse, it’s original to the station. It’s so old, in fact, it’s not even in red! Woah! There’s also a Bluebike rack outside, so there’s that. And the elevators? They don’t reek of piss!

The good: It’s in a sleepy neighborhood, has Bluebikes, and the mezzanine is well-lit! Also, the elevators don’t reek of urine!

The bad: Eh, the platforms feel dated despite the relatively recent (2009!) renovations.

Nearby points of interest: Not a lot, being in the middle of Dorchester’s residential side streets.

Transit connections:
Red Line (Ashmont)

Overall, it’s a pretty good station. Yeah, it feels dated and it’s one of those “you’ll only really use it if you live by here” stations, but it’s still pretty good at the end of the day, and it’s far from the worst place to wait 20+ minutes (if need be).

Rating: 8/10

And now, the last Mattapan Line station! Well, how bad is it? It’s…..actually alright. It’s no Bowdoin, Harvard, Malden Center, or Fenway, but it holds up pretty well at least!

And yes, it’s the same as usual. Shelter, benches, wastebaskets on the Ashmont platform. Mattapan platform lacks shelters, and both sides have mini-highs for accessibility. Yeah, not a lot here. However, you can at the least get a few nice shots of PCCs cresting the incline to Ashmont. Neat!

The good: It’s quiet! Furthermore, there’s bus connections (if you walk a little) as well!

The bad: Eh, most people are probably going to use Ashmont. But also, add a shelter on the Mattapan platform!!!

Nearby points of interest: Eh, not much.

Transit connections:
Mattapan Line
MBTA bus (215, at Gallivan Blvd.)

Overall, it’s a good station. Yeah, sorry, not a lot to note on this one, but at least we end on a good note.

Rating: 7.5/10

Ah, Butler! Well, I’ve never had to be admitted to Butler, but I know a couple of people who had to be admitted, as recent as last week actually-

Oh, not that Butler? You mean it’s a street in Dorchester? Oh, well shit. Uhh, here, I guess.

So, for once we have an ISLAND platform! Woooo, something new! It’s sheltered too with a bench! YAY!!!! FINALLY BOTH SIDES GET A BENCH!!! There’s also a mini-high, so there’s that as well. Overall, there’s still not a lot to it. There’s parking! And now, to walk to Cedar Grove!

The good: It’s the same as usual, quiet, and it also has parking!

The bad: Left-hand boarding, and you have to walk to the front of the train awkwardly to pay.

Nearby points of interest: Not a lot here, sadly.

Transit connections:
Mattapan Line

Overall, meh, nothing to really say about this station either. At least it’s alright! Onwards to Cedar Grove!

Rating: 7/10

Oh boy, a grade-separated station! I can’t wait to check this one out!

So, of course, we’re in an urban area, like with Central Ave. Normally there’s a set of stairs heading down to the Ashmont platform, however they were bulldozed when I was here (about 2 weeks prior!). Gee, thanks! That meant I had to go the longabout way to get onto the platform. And, when I did, it’s pretty much your standard Mattapan Line affair. You have shelters, benches, and wastebaskets. And, finally, benches under the shelter! YAY!

The good: It’s urbanized, and the area is nice! There’s also a bus connection as well!

The bad: The Mattapan platform should have a shelter!

Nearby points of interest: A few businesses!

Transit connections:
Mattapan Line
MBTA bus (217)

Overall, yeah I got nothing further to add. It’s a decent station.

Rating: 8/10

Ah, density is nice. Well, welcome back to an area that isn’t suburban hell. Either way, let’s look at Central Ave.! How does it compare? Who knows. Let’s look, I guess.

WHY IS THERE A GRADE CROSSING HERE?! I mean, I guess it’s alright enough given the relative infrequency of the Mattapan Line with only three PCCs ever being in service at any given time (out of 5), but still it’s hella busier than Capen Street and most DEFINITELY busier than Valley Road! As for the station itself, it’s pretty much the same deal as the others: shelters, benches, wastebaskets, and mini-highs. Except, all those amenities are on the MATTAPAN side! WHY?!

The good: It looks pretty when the area is green! It’s also got some semblance of density around the area, which I presume means ridership is in the realm of three significant figures! Also, BAT stops nearby!

The bad: The grade crossing feels a little dangerous! I saw a car almost hit a PCC! Yikes! AND WHY IS THERE NO SEATING ON THE ASHMONT PLATFORM?!

Nearby points of interest: I’m sure there’s a few businesses, but I didn’t find anything interesting.

Transit connections:
Mattapan Line
MBTA bus (240)
BAT (12)

Yeah, nothing else to add. But, this station kinda sucks.

Rating: 3/10

Up next on the Mattapan Line saga: Valley Road! Oh…..oh dear god.

So, I walked here from Capen Street, and the walk itself isn’t too bad. Certainly, I did worse on this journey. But, that’s not the worst part of this. Let’s look at the station itself. Hopefully you’re not in need of accessibility because there’s none here. Yep! This station is an ADA violation! WOOHOO!!!

Once you go down, it’s the same stuff as before. You have a shelter on the inbound side, benches, countdown clocks, but this time there’s no mini-high and you instead get a view of the Neponset River. Yeah, sorry. At least, as a fun aside, this is the 2nd-least used station on the entire MBTA!

The good: It’s peaceful, like Capen St.! Furthermore, you got views of the Neponset River!

The bad: It’s not accessible. Yeah, this is major, however with ridership as low as it is, it probably doesn’t matter much.

Nearby points of interest: Parks?

Transit connections:
Mattapan Line

Yeah, not a lot to say about this station. Sorry! Either way, probably the highest-scoring inaccessible station on this entire blog.

Rating: 7.5/10

The 2nd to last station on the line before going into Mattapan, Capen St. is an unassuming station in the middle of a residential neighborhood. Let’s look at it, shall we?

There’s not a lot to it. You got a shelter on the Ashmont platform, benches, wastebaskets, and mini-highs. Yeah, not a lot here. However, the grade crossing (one of a kind on the T!) does make for some pretty cool railfanning shots, particularly when it’s warmer and the area is more leafy. Neat!

The good: It’s in an unassuming neighborhood! Furthermore, it’s nice and quiet, and overall really isn’t that terrible a place to wait.

The bad: The lack of shelter on the Mattapan platform kinda sucks!

Nearby points of interest: There’s a park!

Transit connections:
Mattapan Line

Overall, I like this station, pretty much for how quiet it is. Yeah, I don’t have much to say. It’s just decent. Just please give it an outbound shelter!

Rating: 8.5/10

Mattapan, the namesake of its rapid transit line. So, it’s a terminal and a major bus transfer. Let’s see what’s in store, shall we?

So, the main setup here is several bus berths and countdown signs. It’s essentially similar to Nubian, however you also have a Transit Police building. The Mattapan Line platforms also have mini-highs for accessibility. Yeah, there’s just not a lot to talk about here. One busway has shelters and all the bells and whistles, while the other is just a slab of concrete. Yeah… Oh yeah, the yard for the Mattapan Line is here as well!

The good: It’s probably the only Mattapan Line station (aside from Ashmont) to see any kind of nonlocal traffic, given it (& Ashmont) are major bus terminals too. However, unlike Ashmont, the Red Line isn’t here. But, hey, it could be worse!

The bad: Eh, there just isn’t a lot to talk about here, though that second busway is meh. A CharlieCard machine would also be nice.

Nearby points of interest: A few local businesses and the Neponset Esplande!

Transit connections:
Mattapan Line
MBTA bus (15, 24, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 245, 716)

Overall, it works alright for what it is. However, I still feel a CharlieCard machine and amenities on the 2nd busway would do wonders.

Rating: 6.5/10

Alrighty, now the last of the Orange Line stations! So, if Oak Grove to the north is a sleepy park & ride, how does Malden Center stack up?

Well, for one, this is Malden’s major transfer center, between buses, the Orange Line, and the Commuter Rail. The platform is your standard affair, benches and wastebaskets. Also, did I mention the station’s elevated? Yeah, that’s a neat thing is it’s the rare elevated MBTA station! There’s also stairs and elevators down to the mezzanine and, no, it doesn’t smell like piss! Holy crap, the Orange Line WON the piss test!

The mezzanine is normal enough. It’s a little small, but it gets the job done. Lastly, outside on either side is where the busways can be found. The one on the western side is smaller with a handful of routes (& private shuttles!), while the eastern busway by Commercial St. is where all the other buses are. And yes, there’s concrete. We end this out with BRUTAL architecture.

Then there’s the Commuter Rail, where the Haverhill Line stops. Yes, it is single-tracked, like it’s the northside Old Colony. Double tracking doesn’t begin until past Oak Grove, sadly. But hey, you got seating and a red dot-matrix sign! Neat! But, no departure board like at other stations (e.g. Pawtucket or Mansfield). However, did you know Malden was (as far as I can find on Wikipedia) was the first full-high Commuter Rail platform on the T?

The good: Buses! There’s a lot of transfer points with buses! The fact it’s elevated also is nice, as it stands out on the system! Furthermore, as the name suggests, it’s in Malden’s town center! And hey, there’s a Commuter Rail transfer, though who the heck is going to North Station by Commuter Rail when- actually, that’s a silly question as the Orange is ridden with slow zones galore (as of me writing this) and one could use the Haverhill as a (very infrequent) Orange Line express.

The bad: The platform on the Orange Line is a little cramped. Also, the concrete is back, but it’s not as bad as in Community College or Sully.

Nearby points of interest: Pearl St. Station seems interesting, with it being the old station building! Outside of that, you also have a football field nearby (presumably for the high school’s football team), and some stuff lining Pleasant St.!

Transit connections:
Commuter Rail (Haverhill)
Orange Line
MBTA bus (97, 99, 101, 104, 105, 106, 108, 131, 132, 137, 411, 430)

Overall, out of the BRUTALLY BRUTAL stations, I think this one might be the better one aesthetically and functionally. Yeah, Sully has an ungodly amount of buses, but does it have a Commuter Rail platform? No. Is it elevated? Also no. Therefore, we end the Orange Line on a decent station.

Rating: 7.5/10