by atlrvr

Created on: March 03, 2007   Last Updated: December 09, 2008

Boston's subway is known as the T. It consists of 5 lines, three of which are Heavy Rail (HRT), one is Light Rail (LRT), and one is dedicated Bus tunnel/lanes (BRT).

All 5 lines serve downtown Boston and radiate outward from there.

Of the three heavy rail lines, the Red is by far the busiest, servicing downtown Boston and Cambridge (including stops at Harvard and MIT). It can be difficult to board in the mornings and evenings. The Orange line also goes from downtown to the suburb of Medford and neighborhood of Jamaica Plain. The only tourist destination on the Orange line is Copley Square and Copley Place Mall in Boston's Back Bay, an area known for it's upscale shopping. The Blue line extends from Beacon Hill (the most affluent and one of the most historic neighborhoods in Boston) up coastal bedroom communities of Chelsea and Revere. On the Blue line, there is the most popular attraction in Boston, Faneuil Hall. There is also the aquarium. The Blue line is also one of two lines serving the airport.

The light rail line is the Green line. It serves most of Boston's other colleges (outside Havard and MIT) including Northeastern, Boston College, and Boston University. These lines are extremely packed in the morning and evening, and often people have to wait for the next train. There are 4 branches of the Green Line (B, C, D, and E) The B and E are usually the most crowded, and therefore slowest. Taking the Green line to Fenway Park to watch the Red Sox is a popular activity, and all go to the adjoining Kenmore station except the E branch.

The last subway line is the Silver Line. It is broken into two separate parts. One part is all above ground and serves the South End. The other operates in a tunnel, and connets South Station (Amtrak) to the new convention center, and also stops at all 4 terminal at Boston Logan International Airport. Being a bus, it can be infuriatingly slow, so be prepared if you plan on taking it from the airport. I prefer taking the Blue line to get downtown from the airport.

Enjoy taking the T....it may not be the most modern system, but it is fairly comprehensive.

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