I’ve been a Boston commuter for seven years now. Every weekday, I travel north from Dorchester (until last summer, it was Quincy) to Harvard Square. I used to disembark on the Boston Common when I worked at Emerson College, but for nearly five years, I’ve been riding across the river to my Cambridge neighborhood. Most of my commute is spent on (or waiting for, or shaking my fist at) the subway’s Red Line.
Since we moved to Dorchester, though, I’ve added some trolley time to my days.
The Mattapan trolley runs off the Ashmont end of the Red Line through several neighborhoods south of Boston, including mine. The trolley cars – which look like a cross between Boston’s Green Line subway cars and a vintage VW van – are themselves vintage; they date from the 1940s, which occasionally causes serious repair headaches. I live just around the corner from my trolley stop, which also happens to be the access point to my beloved river trail.
Like any public transit (especially in Boston), the trolley can be a complicated beast: in six months I’ve seen it struggle with weather, mechanical issues and other delays. But when it works, it adds a little charm and convenience to my weekdays.
I walk down the hill to the end of our street, juggling my two work bags, a purple travel mug of strong tea, and usually my breakfast. I often see dog walkers, cyclists, runners or all three, especially if the weather’s fine.
After six months I’ve learned the sounds of the different engines that pass by here: cars circling the parking lot, planes flying overhead to land at Logan, the rattle of the trolley itself on the tracks.
The morning operators, though sometimes harried, are kind, and it’s a short ride to Ashmont, where I board the train. And if I’m lucky, I get a glimpse of this view across the marshes.
I’m curious to hear about your commute, if you have one – our jobs, and the travel to and from them, often make up such a huge part of our days. I’m always toting a bag of books to enliven my T rides – any tricks for making the commute more bearable or even fun?
How fun! I remember seeing that picture in your day in the life post and thinking it was such a charming way to commute, but of course I can see how it would come with drawbacks (as anything vintage does). I am currently commuting by Metro and liking it. Like your commute, it’s not perfect, but the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. I always have a book with me too, and my earbuds to listen to podcasts on the walks between the station and my destination, if I don’t get a seat, or if I have motion sickness (which happens about once a week). Are you listening to “Tea or Books?” If not, I highly recommend adding it to your podcast library – it’d be right up your alley.
I haven’t listened to that one, but I’ll check it out! And yes to books on the commute. Such a lifesaver.
Grew up with that trolley. Central Avenue was my home stop for 37 years. Always glad to hear that someone else loves it. You may be interested in joining – or at least exploring – this group on FB… https://www.facebook.com/groups/savethemattapanline/
I commute by car, usually taking 45-50 minutes to go my 11 miles, but today taking 90 for some winter reason…water main break? It’s been four years since I discovered that audio books can absolutely transform a commute. My older car doesn’t support the tech that would make listening from my phone an option, so I get my audio books from the library on cd. I am so spoiled now that I can’t bear the commutes when I’m between audio books!
What a lovely way to travel. I loved my past 6 years of commuting around or through downtown on my bike. Our new little babe is making bike commuting a no go for us at this point, but who knows! ::He types with a cringe::
I bet she’ll go with you someday!
This is lovely. I drive a few miles to work at a University at a job I love. I live in Minnesota and we have many wonderful lakes. I purposely take a slower route to pass by a big lake on a quiet road on my way to work – it always calms me as I prepare for the day and often I see the sun coming up and various birds in the area – once I even saw a pair of eagles. I often listen to audio books. It’s so nice to read to as you drive along.
That’s beautiful. And I understand taking the long way if it’s prettier. 🙂
I’ve taken to listening to language learning tapes (well, MP3s) on my commute. 🙂
I haven’t been as far south as the Mattapan line, but I’d like to make time for that at some point.
I attend UMass Boston, which is in Dorchester, and I commute from the South Shore and it’s definitely an adventure! I take a 45 minute bus ride from my city to Ashmont and it’s only a 10 min train ride to my stop, but you know the red line and its delays!😉 I’ve never taken the Mattapan trolley before but I certainly always hear it!
It is an adventure! Sometimes it’s a pain – but I am glad not to be stuck in car traffic.
I’ve worked at nearly both ends of the Red Line – once in Braintree, then Qunicy, then in Cambridge. Never quite made it to Alewife. But harken – the ancient subway cars are being replace next year. Of course they won’t all be replaced until 2023. But it’s start.
And I commute up from Providence – via commuter rail. I recall when they switched the locomotives they had LOTS of troubles with them until finally they all understood them well enough that it runs like clockwork.