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Old 05-13-2016, 10:38 AM
 
9,877 posts, read 7,204,615 times
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So I'm going to NYC tomorrow and plan to drive to Darien from Boston to catch the train. I can't believe that a web ticket has to be mailed to me and that MTA doesn't have an app in order to buy tickets. Even the much maligned MBTA commuter rail system has a mobile ticket app that I use regularly.

Discuss.

PS - Is there wifi on Metro North trains?
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Old 05-13-2016, 11:03 AM
 
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There are lots of complaints re: MetroNorth, but lack of a ticketing app is not one that I've heard. That said, it seems like something they should have.

No wifi. 4G/LTE coverage is pretty good until you go underground in Manhattan.
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Old 05-13-2016, 11:12 AM
 
Location: New Canaan, CT
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Quote:
Originally Posted by robr2 View Post
Even the much maligned MBTA commuter rail system has a mobile ticket app that I use regularly.
MBTA is a horrible commuter-rail system, objectively amongst the worst in the civilized world. They have an app? Well, even a broken clock is right twice a day.
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Old 05-13-2016, 11:35 AM
 
Location: New London County, CT
8,949 posts, read 12,133,952 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by robr2 View Post
So I'm going to NYC tomorrow and plan to drive to Darien from Boston to catch the train. I can't believe that a web ticket has to be mailed to me and that MTA doesn't have an app in order to buy tickets. Even the much maligned MBTA commuter rail system has a mobile ticket app that I use regularly.

Discuss.

PS - Is there wifi on Metro North trains?
You can purchase your ticket right on the platform in Darien. Make sure you have parking arranged as daily parking fills quickly at all stations. (Welcome to the Town of Darien, Connecticut - Railroad Station Parking)

If you don't have parking arranged, the nearby South Norwalk station has a public garage-- and also ticket machines on the platform.

Enjoy your trip.

And, good grief, Metro North is heavenly compared to the MBTA!
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Old 05-13-2016, 12:20 PM
 
Location: Trumbull/Danbury
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If they are coming from Boston why are they going to Darien and why not Stamford?? Weekend parking is free, so Saturday shouldn't be a problem, and Darien has a lot of spots. Make sure to get a ticket on the platform (they have ticket vending machines on the platform that take credit, debit or cash). If you purchase on the train, it's like a 5% surcharge and I think cash only.
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Old 05-13-2016, 12:26 PM
 
Location: New Canaan, CT
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 7express View Post
. If you purchase on the train, it's like a 5% surcharge and I think cash only.
It's a 55% (not 5%) surcharge and they occasionally accept credit cards.
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Old 05-13-2016, 01:31 PM
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 7express View Post
If they are coming from Boston why are they going to Darien and why not Stamford?? Weekend parking is free, so Saturday shouldn't be a problem, and Darien has a lot of spots. Make sure to get a ticket on the platform (they have ticket vending machines on the platform that take credit, debit or cash). If you purchase on the train, it's like a 5% surcharge and I think cash only.
Parking at the station in Stamford is free on the weekends?

I've been going back and forth whether to take the train from Darien or South Norwalk. I didn't realize that parking at Darien was that tight. I guess I'll got to SoNo.

As for Metro North vs. MBTA, I've never ridden the former. I use the MBTA commuter rail a couple of times per month and it works for me. I've been using the MBTA commuter rail ticket app for about a year now and it's great especially since only the terminus stations sell tickets. If I have to go into Boston for a meeting, I can buy a ticket while sitting in the parking lot.
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Old 05-13-2016, 01:39 PM
 
2,971 posts, read 3,179,326 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by robr2 View Post
Parking at the station in Stamford is free on the weekends?

I've been going back and forth whether to take the train from Darien or South Norwalk. I didn't realize that parking at Darien was that tight. I guess I'll got to SoNo.

As for Metro North vs. MBTA, I've never ridden the former. I use the MBTA commuter rail a couple of times per month and it works for me. I've been using the MBTA commuter rail ticket app for about a year now and it's great especially since only the terminus stations sell tickets. If I have to go into Boston for a meeting, I can buy a ticket while sitting in the parking lot.
No, go to Darien. On a Saturday the parking lot there will be empty and free of charge.
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Old 05-13-2016, 02:25 PM
 
Location: Connecticut
34,920 posts, read 56,918,061 times
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The OP did not say when they will return. If they are planning to stay until Monday, they need to make sure they park in one of the day parking spaces because they could get ticketed Monday morning. If longer stay, not sure what they should do. Probably then go to Stamford or Norwalk garages. Jay
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Old 05-13-2016, 04:19 PM
 
9,877 posts, read 7,204,615 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Raider111 View Post
No, go to Darien. On a Saturday the parking lot there will be empty and free of charge.
I thought since you asked why I'm going to Darien instead of Stamford, I presumed you meant to say Stamford was free.

Quote:
Originally Posted by JayCT View Post
The OP did not say when they will return. If they are planning to stay until Monday, they need to make sure they park in one of the day parking spaces because they could get ticketed Monday morning. If longer stay, not sure what they should do. Probably then go to Stamford or Norwalk garages. Jay
It's a long day trip so I'll make sure to park in the right spaces.

I had thought of going to Stratford but it's and 1:45 ride ride each way on the train. I can drive the extra 25 minutes and shave 45 minutes off the train ride.

Thanks everyone for your advice.
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