Saturday, July 3, 2010

About how does the train/subway system work in Boston

How does the train/subway system work in Boston?
I'm new to Boston and not really sure how the train system works. Can someone please explain what people mean when they say "red line, orange line, green line and blue line"? Also, if I were to commute to Boston everyday, what would be the cheapest option for me? I mean is there a monthly pass that I could purchase? Thank you in advance for your replies.
Boston - 6 Answers
People's Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
Answer 1 :
I used to live in Boston.. so, here goes.. Red Line.. goes pretty much everywhere... and Fenway park... and fanuel hall... places like that... Blue Line... aquarium and some places near the harbor Green line.. science museum and that part of the city... its the oldest line... orange line.. dunno where that one goes, never had to ride it... and the purple is the commuter rail that runs to different cities.. basically.. the colors just make it easier to get where you want to go.. if u have a general idea there are maps EVERYWHERE! It's pretty hard to get lost... and people are more than happy to help you.. You can purchase monthly passes... that all gets sort of confusing.. the cheapest way to commute would probably be the commuter rail... Im not sure though, because it depends on where you are commuting from... Hope I could help a little!
Answer 2 :
There are monthly passes available and for frequent riders the cheaper option. The different lines are color coded, with "purple" being the commuter rail system that connects some outlying towns to Boston. Your best bet to start familiarizing yourself with "what goes where" would be to examine this map: http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/system_map/ All the lines interconnect at different places so you may ride more than one or a combination of bus, subway and/or trolley (light-rail). The Green Line is a trolley or light-rail line. Blue, Orange and Red lines are heavy-rail "subway" type vehicles (with the exception of a short portion of the Red Line from Ashmont to Mattapan that is a trolley line using "heritage" PCC trolleys). The Silver Line is "Bus Rapid Transit" (although it's design doesn't allow it to be as rapid as it should be, but I digress...). In general, Red line tends to be Southeasterly to Northwesterly. Blue line is downtown/northeasterly. Orange line tends to be north/south, and the Green line tends to be downtown/westerly. Commuter rail is a subject unto itself. Just some "for instances" Fenway Park = Green Line. Harvard University = Red Line, Logan Airport = Blue Line or Silver Line. TD Bank Garden = Green, Orange, or "North side" commuter rail. Beware of the "T"'s website "trip planner". It can come up with some really bizarre routings sometimes!
Answer 3 :
Neither of the two previous Answerers tell you that there are also the Purple Lines, which is the commuter rail system. It is the 4th most extensive in the USA after N.Y.C., Chicago and Philly. And of course there is also the bus system. You can get a pass for only the bus system, or the bus and subway plus the silver line; any Purple Line pass allows you to ride the buses and subways also. .
Answer 4 :
Well, the "lines" are different subway routes Red: longest line. services Cambridge and South Boston, as well as downtown Green: services Boston areas on the Charles River, but extends 20 miles West of Boston Blue: services airport and surrounding areas, East of Boston, but enters the city and ends downtown. Orange: services areas NE of Boston, north end, downtown/chinatown, Roxbury.
Answer 5 :
Red line goes south of the city Orange goes North to South from Malden to South of the city Blue connects the airport, waterfront and ends in Revere along the shore. Green Line has separate lines A-E that split off the green line goes through back bay and towards roxbury others like the B-line go to BC which is west in Chesnut Hill. Purple line connects all other points as far west as worcester, north as gloucester, and south as the cape. Passes start at $59/ month but i think that doesn't include the purple which is the commuter rail. Individual rides are 1.70 and will probaply go up it is around 5 for the commuter rail depending on the zone
Answer 6 :
agreed with the above answers but nobodys mentioned the silver line... i think it goes around the airport but i dont have to use that one much. Basically find a T station, the ones that say INBOUND go towards boston, the ones that say OUTBOUND go out... look at the maps in the station and if you dont have to make a transfer look for the last stop on that train and board the train that says to (whatever stop it was). If you need any help just ask anybody and im sure theyd be happy to help!! good luck in boston
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