Boston’s subway system, known affectionately as the ‘T’ is America’s first subway system. The first green line subway cars began running in a tunnel underneath Tremont Street in 1897. Park Street Station and Boylston Station were the first two to open - both sit at the bottom of the hill within walking distance of the Massachusetts State House. Park Street Station is directly adjacent to the Park Street Church. 

I first moved to Boston as a freshman in college and quickly learned the ways of the T, as I did not have a car (there was no need for one with the subway, commuter rail and airport all nearby) and lived right downtown. I had some previous experience with subways in New York and DC, but not on a daily basis and not as the only way of getting around. During my college years in Boston I learned about the joys and infrequent frustrations of relying on the T as my primary mode of transportation. I am now a huge advocate for public transportation. In dense urban areas it makes a lot of sense. Having a monthly T pass is a significant savings over a car payment, gas, insurance and paying for a parking space. Especially now with services like ZipCar, where you have easy access to a car when absolutely necessary. Besides, being in a constant state of panic over whether or not you’ve got a parking ticket or it’s street cleaning day is not fun.

Boston’s subway has character. Being built more than 100 years ago will do that. Many of the cars and tracks are outdated and make high pitched shrieking noises during sharp turns. The trains are quite loud, and many run both above and below ground (unlike the trains in Montreal which have quiet rubber tires because they only run underground). Trains that run below ground use a third rail on the ground to connect to as their power source, but when the trains run above ground they use overhead cables as the power source. The overhead cables are not exactly easy on the eyes, but they are a necessity. Having a third rail above ground would be a huge hazard.

It’s very interesting to compare the old subway stations with the new ones. Park Street Station, seen in the picture above, has a very antique feel to it. Compare that with the clean metal lines of the newly re-done above-the-street Charles Street/Mass General Hospital station, or the Aquarium station. I think it is the contrast between the very old and the new that makes Boston’s subway so appealing. During this trip to Boston we were amazed to see so many stations on the green line under construction - always updating, always improving. 

My favorite T station is Government Center (pictured above), despite the fact that it lives in the shadow of the ugliest building in all of Boston - City Hall. There is only one entrance, so when you need to meet someone at Government Center you can be sure that you didn’t miss them. Also, it is a hub for the blue and green lines, which means easy access to the airport and North Station (for north-bound commuter rail trains) and one quick transfer for access to South Station (buses and south and west-bound commuter rail trains). Government Center sits on the back side of Beacon Hill between Charles Street and Faneuil Hall, one of Boston’s premier tourist traps. It is also a brief walk from Downtown Crossing, Haymarket and the State House. The farmer’s market at Haymarket on Fridays and Saturdays is incredible. The biggest farmer’s market I’ve ever attended - and they’re open year round, which is really appreciated when you want some fresh air and some fresh produce on a cold winter day.

The above picture was taken at the newly re-done Airport T stop. This is one of the transition stops between above and below ground track. The train above has just switched from third rail to the overhead cables for power source. In the foreground of the picture on the inbound track you can see where the third rail starts.

We had a great visit to Boston and really enjoyed riding around the subway and seeing our old stomping ground. We look forward to coming back soon.