Commuter rail vs T? (Boston, Newton: how much, buy, restaurants)

[Ruffian829]

Hi, I just moved to Newton after getting a job in Boston (on State Street). I'm about the same distance from both the commuter rail stop and the T station but I'm having trouble deciding which to take. Job is pretty much the typical 9-5.

Will I get a seat on the train at a Newton stop, or does it fill up prior to? I'm assuming if be able to get a seat on the T since riverside is the first stop...

Any thoughts/suggestions/recommendations of one over the other?

Thanks!

[TAM88]

Originally Posted by Ruffian829

Hi, I just moved to Newton after getting a job in Boston (on State Street). I'm about the same distance from both the commuter rail stop and the T station but I'm having trouble deciding which to take. Job is pretty much the typical 9-5.

Will I get a seat on the train at a Newton stop, or does it fill up prior to? I'm assuming if be able to get a seat on the T since riverside is the first stop...

Any thoughts/suggestions/recommendations of one over the other?

Thanks!

The T, or Green Line, will come a lot more frequently than the Commuter Rail will. So you have that convenience of knowing if you either miss a Green Line train, or cannot fit on it, there will be another on coming in a few minutes (something like 5-7) during rush hour. You miss the Commuter Rail, you could be waiting 20-30 minutes, or even longer.

Of course the Commuter Rail will make less stops along the way than the Green Line will, so there's that to think about.

Personally, I would opt for the Green Line given the convenience of the schedules and the fact that a monthly pass is a lot cheaper than a monthly pass on the Commuter Rail. I would imagine Newton would be a zone 2 or 3 pass. Plus with the monthly T pass, you get unlimited rides on the rest of the subway system and local bus service.

The trains will be packed on the morning, especially given the fact that the Newton stops are the last ones before the Commuter Rail hits South Station. Depending on what stop you get on, the Green Line could be packed, or a little light. The D line moves that fastest out of the 4 Green Line branches.

[tickybox]

-If you buy yourself weekly passes for the T, that's $18/week, probably around $52 a month
-A link pass, for T and Subway -- $70/month
-The Commuter Rail Newtonville Stop will run you $173/month
-Commuter Rail West Newton Stop $189

It's a big jump up in price for the Commuter Rail. I'd go with the green line.

[Amontillado]

In some inner areas, the commuter rail is priced the same as the subway. I think the rationale is that the train is essentially functioning as transit in those places, so you should pay the same. They call that "Zone 1A" and it extends to West Medford or Malden, but Newtonville is Zone 1, and West Newton and Auburndale are Zone 2. And there's a lot of difference! A monthly pass for Zone 1A is $70, but go to the next stop and you'll pay $173. Zone 2 is $189, not a huge increase over Zone 1.

As I understand it, a Zone 1A pass is good on subways and buses also, but a "Charlie Monthly LinkPass" for subway and bus costs the same but isn't usable on Zone 1A trains.

I'd guess that from Newton, the subway is a much longer journey but it's cheaper, the service is more frequent, and you have a better chance of getting a seat. On the train, you have to plan which train to catch and you might find the seats all filled and you'll pay more, but you'll get to town faster. It's probably more comfortable, too (if you have a seat).

[MikePRU]

I think it would help in giving a good answer if the OP said what T stop they are near and what commuter rail stop they would use.

[Ruffian829]

Thank you for the responses. As of now I guess I'm leaning towards the T. I was hoping I could justify the extra cost of the commuter rail as it seems "nicer" but if I'm going to be struggling to even get a seat it does not sound worth it...
I'd be using the Riverside T stop or the Auburndale Commuter Rail stop. I may be able to walk to the Auburndale station to avoid paying for parking, however.

[Anna_T]

If you have this choice, I would vote for the green line. You can always check the schedule and see how much flexibility commuter rail offers you, depending on when you have to be at work, when you leave, and how often you may leave late or early. Don't forget weekends. Commuter rail runs on weekends and holidays of course, but there are less trains, hence there are bigger gaps. Also, it stops service earlier than the T. If you are planning to go downtown or around Boston area for restaurants / sight seeing / drinks / anything - you are more likely to use T on the weekend. (there are also cabs of course, depends on how often you plan to take them). All in all, you'll have more flexibility with the T, and it'll be cheaper than commuter rail. Commuter ride will be faster though. You will need to plan more time for green line, especially during rush hour (with one door open, and all people first going off, than getting on, plus there are a lot more smaller stops)

Edited to add: there is also express bus to boston, it stops around commuter rail station, look into that as well. I think it costs the same as regular bus, but it makes just a few stops, and shoots on mass pike into downtown, so it's pretty fast. There are just a few rides a day though.

[wxjay]

Green Line is my vote. Longer but cheaper and at the Riverside station you are guaranteed a seat.

[woodguy00]

How about trying each a few times to see which you prefer. No big commitment needed.