I’ll try not to make this a rant about the T (even though it’s reallyyyy hard not to.) It’s (supposedly) the easiest way to get around the city. Personally, there are days where I would rather walk, bike, or crawl backwards on my hands and knees to get where I need to go than endure nightmarish delays or the rants of cracked-out homeless people riding the Orange Line.
Ok, so I guess that qualifies as a rant. In all seriousness, if you’re new to Boston (or not new to Boston, but have recently moved off campus and are now forced to utilize public transportation), there is more than one way to get where you need to go.
If you’re on campus and want to go inbound
By all costs, I would urge you not to rely on the E line. The E line sucks, especially in the winter. No one wants to wait outside for 30 minutes for the next two-car inbound train that you probably won’t even be able to cram onto anyway.
Instead, walk your butt over to Ruggles and try your luck on the Orange Line. Perks include overhead announcements that let you know when the next train is arriving, trains that actually run less than 15 minutes apart, a Dunkin Donuts and a Metro newsstand.
Almost any stop you’d want to get to on the Green Line is accessible on the Orange Line as well:
- If you want to go to Boylston Take the Oak Grove train to the Chinatown stop
- If you want to go to Park Street Oak Grove to Downtown Crossing
- If you want to go to Faneuil Hall Oak Grove to State Street
- If you want to go to the North End Oak Grove to Haymarket
- If you’re going to watch the Bruins or Celtics (if that silly lockout is ever resolved) Oak Grove to North Station
All of these stops are literally steps away from the Green Line stops. Always have an alternate way to get around!
If you need to take the bus
The 1 bus is your new best friend. It stops up and down Mass Ave, convenient for those of us living off campus.
If you need a transfer station
Need to catch a train or a flight? Instead of taking the Green Line to Park or Gov. Center, do this instead:
- If you need to get to South Station Orange Line Oak Grove to Downtown Crossing. From here you can get on either the Ashmont or Braintree bound Red Line trains to South Station.
- If you need to get to Logan Airport Oak Grove to Downtown Crossing (Red Line to Ashmont or Braintree) get off at South Station and take the Silver Line (SL 1) right to the airport.
Remember, Boston is a fairly walkable city. If it isn’t frigid outside and your legs aren’t broken, it’s only about a 20- minute walk to downtown. Remember that no matter what line you’re on to expect the unexpected. Plan ahead to factor in delays or “police activity” that could hinder your commute.
Oh, and don’t download the “Where’s the T app?” It doesn’t exist.
Tip: The MBTA offers a trip guide to help you map our your route.
Happy traveling, collegiettes™!
Photos: MBTA