Some Advice on Commuting (Boston, Framingham: how much, transfer to, buy)

[Jnvlv247]

Hey Everyone,

I may be getting a job in Boston sometime soon!! I currently live in Sherborn MA and work in Framingham. I have a 6 mile easy drive but am wanting to advance in my career and make more $$ so Boston is pretty much where those jobs are.

I have been researching a lot about the cost of commuting and the times, etc. I may be working at Tufts Medical Center and so far it seems the best option may be to take the commuter rail straight to South Station and make a little walk. OR I have seen that I could take the rail to orange line and get off RIGHT at the hospital. Does this make a difference in paying? (I know the hospital does have discounts for pub transit so I keep that in mind but am unsure of how much) Is it worth doing a transfer for being dropped off right across the street from the entrance? Or is taking a direct route better?

I figure my station of origin will probably be Natick which then involves parking there. I have no idea what cost that is and how parking availability is. My schedule so far is negotiable so I could be 8-4:30, 8:30-5, 9-5:30 or 9:30 to 6

Any advice as I have never used the public transportation here (just drove into and in Boston)

[millerm277]

There is no difference in fare for getting off at Back Bay vs South Station.

Assuming you have a monthly pass (which you should buy as a daily commuter), that includes subway + bus access as well for anything on your zone inward. Natick is Zone 4, you buy a Zone 4 pass and you can use all modes of transport from Zone 4 inward.

Pretty much up to you if you want to switch to Orange for one stop or if you want to walk from South Station. I doubt either is going to be reliably faster than the other. Keep in mind that in the evening if you board at Back Bay, everyone boarding at South Station has already taken seats, so you have more chance of standing and/or not getting your preference of seat.

[alidmc]

Yes, millerm is correct. If you take the train from Natick, you will buy a zone 4 pass. The zone 4 pass will cover your trip from Natick into Boston on the commuter rail and, if you choose, you can transfer to the orange line at no additional cost. A monthly zone 4 pass is $239.00 (costs are increasing this summer, I believe).

Parking at the Natick Commuter rail is by permit only. The permits are issued by the town of Natick and it costs $725.00 per year for non-residents. This is actually a pretty good price. I pay about 1200 per year to park at the T garage near my stop.

MBTA > Schedules & Maps > Commuter Rail > Natick
Transportation & Parking | Natick, MA - Official Website

[millerm277]

Originally Posted by alidmc

Yes, millerm is correct. If you take the train from Natick, you will buy a zone 4 pass. The zone 4 pass will cover your trip from Natick into Boston on the commuter rail and, if you choose, you can transfer to the orange line at no additional cost. A monthly zone 4 pass is $239.00 (costs are increasing this summer, I believe).

Parking at the Natick Commuter rail is by permit only. The permits are issued by the town of Natick and it costs $725.00 per year for non-residents. This is actually a pretty good price. I pay about 1200 per year to park at the T garage near my stop.

MBTA > Schedules & Maps > Commuter Rail > Natick
Transportation & Parking | Natick, MA - Official Website

West Natick and Framingham have daily parking at $4/day and should be roughly as practical for him as Natick is with where he's coming from.

That said, West Natick's lot fills quite early in the morning. And while I believe Framingham has better availability, it's also Zone 5 instead of Zone 4, so using it means paying another $26 a month for your pass.

[Jnvlv247]

Natick seems to be the best and has the best times as well it seems

That 7:55 am train has only 3 stops which is cool. If I miss it then the next 2 I could make and still be on time hopefully

Not sure how unpredictable the rail/T are VS the highway/road traffic though

[Aara5]

I take the commuter rail coming into North Station and except for snow troubles it's remarkably on time down to the minute. Much more reliable than traffic I think and more relaxing. Sometimes employers will give you a discount on the pass cost or at least let you purchase pre tax. Good luck!

[ivyleaguediver]

you could also drive to Riverside Station, pick up the green line and take it to Boylston and walk to Tufts from there.

[eeegeek]

Originally Posted by ivyleaguediver

you could also drive to Riverside Station, pick up the green line and take it to Boylston and walk to Tufts from there.

if you take masspike to riverside you will have to go through that awful 90/95 intersection (this has to be most stupidly desined exit ramp ever - both east bound and west bound traffic come off tolls and merge - all of them wanting to get on 95 north ramp which is one lane towards join point - those that want to take the 95 south have to weave through this total chaos which can easily add 10-15 mins to travel time) and none of the other roads (30 or 9 are any better).

If you can get to west natick station before 7 or 7:15AM that will be your best bet - after 7:30 there is no chance of finding any space there. Unfortunately the express train doesn't arrive until 7:49 which means you will have to take a local train and spend ~50 mins until it reaches south station (40 mins to Yawkey)