Submitted by PrincessFig t3_ye00rr in providence

Hey everyone! I have to go into Boston in a few days and plan on taking the MBTA rail to and from. This will be my first time on this particular rail. Any tips beyond the usual common sense? Anything to avoid? Safety concerns? I hear the Amtrak is far superior but unfortunately the time doesn't line up with my schedule.

TIA

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captainastryd t1_itv2j8r wrote

How are you getting to the train station? If you’re driving, you’ll be able to park at the PPM lot on Hayes St and walk over. There’s a parking lot closer to the train station but it feels up quickly.

If you’re biking, the train station is where everyone gets their bike stolen so either bring it with you (if you’re not on peak commuter hours) or lock it down Fort Knox style.

Some booths have outlets for chargers so you can get some work done. You’ll probably loose signal somewhere around Sharon though.

Rush hour is a lot. Train fills up fast on the BOS > PVD route.

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transgenderedizing t1_itv2nyd wrote

I’m assuming purple line? We shit on MBTA but the lines that actually go outside of greater Boston aren’t bad and fairly reliable. It’s really the in-Boston lines (Orange, Red in particular) people advise you to avoid

Edit: realized this was the PVD sub not BOS, I take it all the time you’re fine. It’s cheaper than amtrak

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transgenderedizing t1_itv3wno wrote

Yes. 110%. If you can walk it then walk (ex. North to South Station). They shut down all the time, are late, and generally a bit sketchy to ride on. It still depends on the line color but still, I wouldn’t recommend it to anybody not looking for a very uh “Bostonian Experience”

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GoGatorsMashedTaters t1_itv6kdg wrote

Man, I take this all the time to go to BOS and back. It’s incredibly convenient, especially looking at the rest of the country’s options.

No safety concerns, but please pay attention to the stops and train schedule. Use the MBTA app. Don’t be the guy getting on a train that doesn’t go to your stop. You can pay on the app on your train.

Activate your ticket right before they come to collect. Sometimes they are understaffed or striking by not collecting, and you got yourself a free trip and you can save your digital ticket for later.

Always check the Amtrak schedule because the trips can get down to $9, and cheaper than the T. As you said though, that schedule is harder to line up.

Edit: edited for grammar

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GoGatorsMashedTaters t1_itv6wyv wrote

100% agree. If you’re not in a rush, and looking to get across to Cambridge or something lackadaisically, it’s fine, but you cannot schedule around in-Boston lines anymore. The city is very walkable if you’re only needing to go around back bay, south end, north end areas.

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PrinceHomeless t1_itv7xcd wrote

The commuter rail really isn't bad. Make sure you know your train's schedule, and either buy a ticket in advance or have money with you.

While in Boston, the trains are fine (except maybe the orange line? Not sure what its status is right now), though they're generally packed (green line) and very noisy (red line). It's honestly easier to walk most places if it's close enough. Make sure you don't miss the last commuter rail train.

Oh, I don't know when they added these, but there are these kiosks where you can rent portable batteries to keep your phone charged. Saved my butt the last time I went into Boston

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alice_s_jabberwocky t1_itv9l44 wrote

Should be quite straightforward. The Providence line is probably the best CR line. Fairly punctual, no safety concerns at all, easy to purchase tickets on the app. Just make sure you board the right train and don’t miss your stop.

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GoGatorsMashedTaters t1_itvdaim wrote

It can be a very pleasant trip when nothing is delayed. The operator’s accent over the PA usually gets a laugh or two out of me. Watch a tv show or get a chance to read that book you’ve been putting off.

Getting off at Back Bay is my favorite stop. Only because there are usually pigeons at the back of the Dunkin Donuts line inside.

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rustybullrake t1_itvdvzd wrote

This probably falls under common sense, but it was a rookie mistake I made:

If it can be avoided, don't sit on the eastern facing side of the train in the morning, unless you enjoy intense strobing direct sunlight for the duration of your commute.

Made this mistake once and it actually managed to make me ill, despite closed eyes, sunglasses, and a hat.

Some folks aren't sensitive to it so YMMV.

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Proof-Variation7005 t1_itvgwva wrote

When choosing a seat, make sure you pick an empty one and don't sit on top of a random stranger. I've made that mistake more times than I care to admit and only once did the experience lead to a new friend.

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TheCyborganizer t1_itvhesk wrote

As a counterpoint, I left my bike at the downtown train station every day from 7-ish in the morning to 6-ish at night for about a year and never had a problem. Normal commuter hybrid bike, normal u-lock, just locking back wheel and frame.

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carfreepvd t1_itvkswu wrote

You can take your bike on the train with you for some of the trains between Providence and Boston. Basically, if you are headed inbound other than the main commuter morning commuter rush, or outbound other than the afternoon rush. If you check the schedule, you’ll see a bike symbol at the top for the times when you can bring a bike. If you’re going on the weekend, you can take a bike anytime.

Another tip for the weekend: be sure to scroll a little lower on the app for the $10 unlimited rides ticket. It’s a big savings over the $12.25 one-way!

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MarlKarx-1818 t1_itvtdos wrote

If you need to drive to the station, think about driving to Attleboro instead, parking is WAY cheaper if you need to leave your car there.

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fvnnybvnny t1_itvtqh1 wrote

Lol If you nap set an alarm for like 10min before your stop

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Osburg t1_itvv6x4 wrote

>If you’re biking, the train station is where everyone gets their bike stolen so either bring it with you (if you’re not on peak commuter hours) or lock it down Fort Knox style.

Can confirm. Got one bike stolen in that area. Had it tied to a pole, and the guy took the pole and the bike.

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nygrl811 t1_itwdpp9 wrote

One KEY item - make sure when you leave Boston you get on a train going to/through Providence. The line splits at Canton Junction, some trains go to Stoughton, others to Providence or Wickford Junction. You want a Providence or Wickford train. It is very clear on the schedule. And absolutely use the app for tickets and schedules. Have fun!!

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ochu_ t1_itwethi wrote

leave from the attleboro stop instead of prov if you can

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GoGatorsMashedTaters t1_itwg100 wrote

I’m sure you were at the right site, amtrak.com.

It may be flexible or last-minute pricing they do the day of the trip? I’m not sure. But since I don’t buy a MBTA/Amtrak ticket until I actually get on the train, I usually check the amtrak website for cheaper tickets the day/or a few hours before I’m getting ready to head to the train station. Believe it or not, there have been times where there is an amtrak regional line leaving around the same time as the MBTA, and at a cheaper price. I’d say it happens maybe 1/5 trips I take.

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wearTheDamnMask_137 t1_itwmsgd wrote

I ride the PVD-Boston line every.single.day. It really isn’t bad though. The trains that leave at 7:15am or 7:40 from PVD are ok as you’ll get a nice seat. Pro tip: choose a three seater as you will likely only have one person join you as the train fills up, with a space between you. Try for the top of a double level car for the best views.

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pvdcaveman t1_itwrtku wrote

Generally you’ll only get that kind of pricing at off peak times. If you can book out Amtrak a few weeks in advance, you’ll get the best price.

Source: been doing this commute for 10 years and still salty they got rid of the 5:35 Amtrak out of south station.

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Victor_Korchnoi t1_itwyo4y wrote

They’re badness is exaggerated. They usually work just fine. Occasionally they don’t. If you take it every day, you will inevitably be screwed once in a while—that leads to a lot of frustration which we vent on the internet. But on any given trip, you are very likely to have a normal subway ride.

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roboraptor3000 t1_itxt0wc wrote

If you're going on the weekend, make note of the $10 weekend pass. It's good for the weekend and cheaper than even a one-way to Boston.

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pvdcaveman t1_iu3sufe wrote

I don’t know. But it’s made my commute a whole lot worse. How is there no providence express train?

I’m only going in 2-3 days a week now but I’ve either got yo leave work early to catch the pre-5:00 train or the 5:40 commuter rail which doesn’t get me back home until around 7:00.

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NICK2POINT0 t1_iughia0 wrote

If you have some flexibility with your end-of-day working hours, make use of the 24hr unlimited pass!

(Ex: One night I'll take the 6:27pm from Back Bay, the next morning I'll take whatever, and that evening I'll take the 5:45pm, which is within 24hrs. You have to buy these unlimited passes in 5-packs, but it's ~$24 per pass and I get 3 rides out of it, so cheaper than the $12.50 x 3 = $37.50)

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