Commuting from Newton to Copley Square (Boston, Watertown: bus, rail, yard)

[recster]

Hey everyone. This is a great forum.. I was JUST thinking that they should have a forum for boston locals to share advice that only we would know! I'm glad that I found it! =)

I am starting a new job in Copley Square. I am commuting from the Newtonville area (Nonantum to be more specific, the "Lake," etc.) I will be commuting to work in the mornings (around 7:30am). Does anyone have any recommendations on how I can get to work? Right now, it looks like my options are:

1) Drive or walk to Watertown Yard or Newton Corner (which is pretty far to walk), and then take the 502 bus down the MassPike to Copley. Should be about $1.25.

2) Drive to the Green Line and take that all the way down (I would probably park at Woodland for $4 and get a $59 Link Pass, or pay $1.70 each time).

or
3) Drive and find parking around the West Newton Commuter Rail.

Does anyone have any recommendations or tips? Which would be the fastest? Which is most reliable? Also, are there any other places with free parking where I can park all day then hop on the Green Line or Bus or Commuter Rail?

Thanks for reading! I appreciate any responses.

[holden125]

I have friends along Oakland St in Brighton and there is almost always free parking on the street there or on South Hobart, a bit down the hill from Washington St. No resident requirements and street cleaning only twice a month from April-Nov. From there it's an easy ride on either the 502 express bus, or the 57 bus to Kenmore and the Green line from there. Street parking is not so bad around Oak Sq. either if you want to get the express bus closer to Boston (it's farther but the bus starts in Brighton Ctr and works west to the Newton exit on the Pike). This would mean passing Newton Corner and then doubling back on the bus, but I mention it as I'm not sure what the parking restrictions are near the express bus in Newton. If you want the 57 to Kenmore, parking in Brighton probably speeds it up.

I think the 502 is a bit more than $1.25. Check the T.

Is parking impossible by Newtonville commuter rail?

[recster]

Originally Posted by holden125

I have friends along Oakland St in Brighton..From there it's an easy ride on either the 502 express bus, or the 57 bus to Kenmore

I've taken the 57 plenty of times, but does the 502 express run along the same route (which I believe is Washington-Tremont Streets)? From mbta.com, it shows the 502 express leaving from Watertown Yard, to Newton Corner (at the Pike exit), then straight to Copley.

Originally Posted by holden125

I think the 502 is a bit more than $1.25. Check the T.

Yeah, that's my fault. It's $2.80 per ride, or $89 a month.

Originally Posted by holden125

Is parking impossible by Newtonville commuter rail?

There's supposedly a free lot in Newtonville, right next to the commuter rail (according to mbta.com), but I can't find it. I drove around today trying to find it (and I'm fairly familiar with the area, too)! Anyone know where it is? It's supposed to be near the Lincoln dealership and the Verizon building.

Originally Posted by holden125

Street parking is not so bad around Oak Sq.

Is there any free parking that is within closer walking distance to the Newton Corner (Mass Pike exit 17) bus stop? Or anywhere free\cheap to park near Watertown Yard? MBTA.COM says Watertown Yard has 3 dollar parking, but I haven't found out for sure. I am about 30 minutes walking from Watertown Yard, but I would prefer not walking 30 minutes in hot\freezing weather in business attire.

Thanks for the advice!

[holden125]

Originally Posted by recster

I've taken the 57 plenty of times, but does the 502 express run along the same route (which I believe is Washington-Tremont Streets)? From mbta.com, it shows the 502 express leaving from Watertown Yard, to Newton Corner (at the Pike exit), then straight to Copley.

Sorry, I had it slightly off. The 502 and 504 go from Watertown Yard, Newton Corner, Pike. The 501 and 503 go from Brighton Center, out on Washington and Tremont, to Newton Corner and the Pike. So it's 503 from Brighton to Copley.

Originally Posted by recster

There's supposedly a free lot in Newtonville, right next to the commuter rail (according to mbta.com), but I can't find it. I drove around today trying to find it (and I'm fairly familiar with the area, too)! Anyone know where it is? It's supposed to be near the Lincoln dealership and the Verizon building.

Not familiar with it. I imagine it gets full quickly but maybe at 7:30 you'd find something there?

Originally Posted by recster

Is there any free parking that is within closer walking distance to the Newton Corner (Mass Pike exit 17) bus stop? Or anywhere free\cheap to park near Watertown Yard? MBTA.COM says Watertown Yard has 3 dollar parking, but I haven't found out for sure. I am about 30 minutes walking from Watertown Yard, but I would prefer not walking 30 minutes in hot\freezing weather in business attire.

This is why I mentioned Brighton. If I recall the streets closest to Newton Corner have parking restrictions, though there may be somewhere closer that does not.