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MBTA Commuter Rail, Boston MA | |
| The MBTA operates commuter rail trains from Boston to suburban towns such as Concord, Gloucester, Plymouth, Rockport, Salem, even Worcester MA and Providence RI, allowing you to escape the city on interesting excursions. | ||
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The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), operator of Boston's four subway train lines, contracts the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Rail Corporation to operate thirteen Commuter Rail lines connecting Boston with towns on the North Shore (as far as the New Hampshire state line), northwest to Lowell, west to Worcester, and south to Providence RI (here's a map of the entire system). Trains depart Boston's North Station (map) for Waltham, Lincoln, Concord, Fitchburg, Lowell, Haverhill, Salem, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Gloucester, Rockport, Newburyport and many other towns north and northwest of the city. Trains depart South Station for Worcester, Needham Heights, Forge Park/I-495, Westwood/Route 128, Foxboro, Quincy, Plymouth, Providence RI, T F Green Airport RI, Middleborough/Lakeville, Kingston/Route 3, and other towns west, south and southeast of the city. Most of the train cars, locomotives and other equipment are old though serviceable. Systems are equally out of date: not all stations have floor-level platforms for entering the cars, and conductors still circulate through the train punching paper tickets and handing out paper receipts. New railcars are supposed to be delivered in 2013. Most trains offer free Wifi service, and most have at least one toilet, but there are no snack/beverage services on trains, and few stations except the main terminals (such as Boston and Providence) have toilet facilities. Plan accordingly. Bicycles may be taken aboard all except rush-hour trains for free, but there is limited room for them. You may be asked to board with your bike into the car closest to the locomotive. The MBTA website has train schedules and fares.
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Above, an MBTA
Commuter Rail train arrives | |||
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