The blog that started it all! Check out reviews of every bus route and train station in Boston, as well as ongoing reviews of the regional bus systems in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Recent Posts from Miles on the MBTA
MVRTA: 53 (Newburyport Summer Shuttle)
Beach day! The MVRTA's seasonal services started this weekend, one of them being the 53 from Newburyport Station to Plum Island, via downtown Newburyport. Now in its second year of operation, the route is funded by the City of Newburyport, and (at least when I was on)...
West Gloucester
For the record, I wanted to take the 7:22 train back to Boston. But nooooo, Michael wanted to walk somewhere. And I suggested West Gloucester, since it's reasonably close to downtown Gloucester, where we were. However, we got lost, and after 2 and a half...
South Acton
I'll admit, I'm usually against newer Commuter Rail stations. Indeed, South Acton is very new, having finished renovations about six months ago. And yet, it's a surprisingly nice station - certainly better than the horrible old one. Let's see it! Oh no! Closed...
West Concord
Well! This is most definitely the superior Concord station, especially compared to the other one. But seriously, West Concord is better than its companion in every way possible! I love this place so much... There's a lot to talk about before we even get to the...
Concord
Welp, we're headin' out to northwestern suburbia now. Don't let the hillbillies get you! But yes, Concord is actually one of the busiest stations on the Fitchburg Line, and it's right near the center of town. This place has some great character, but...
Abandoned Hospital!
For a change of pace from my usual reviews, here are the photos I took at the abandoned Boston Regional Medical Center! All of the pictures are taken from outside - don't worry, I didn't trespass! The beat-up parking lot. Looking through a glass door. A narrow...
99 (Woodland Road – Wellington Station via Main Street and Malden Center Station)
The MBTA runs a bus route to an abandoned hospital. I'm not sure if I made myself clear enough: THE MBTA RUNS A BUS ROUTE TO AN ABANDONED HOSPITAL. And I mean proper abandoned, like, falling apart and everything! The 99 is the culprit, and it all starts at Wellington...
411 (Kennedy Drive or Jack Satter House – Malden Center Station)
The 411 has to be one of the most diverse - and crazy - routes on the MBTA. It includes a few strange deviations, including one through marshland in Revere! Keep in mind that this route sometimes uses new Excelsior buses, so it can be very odd to see them up north of...
430 (Saugus Center – Malden Center Station via Square One Mall)
After the wonderful downtowns of Wakefield and Peabody, I had high hopes for Saugus Center. Unfortunately, as my friend Nathan and I stepped off an outbound 428, it was clear that it wasn't much. Standing next to a rotary with only a few gas stations and pizza joints...
WRTA: 22 (Union Station Hub – Shoppes at Blackstone Valley via Millbury Center)
It's strange that despite taking a way more indirect route than the 4, the 22 somehow manages to only take three minutes longer to get from Worcester to Blackstone Valley. Whereas the 4 has a lengthy express section and is mostly direct, the 22 is all local and...
GUEST POST: 171 (Dudley Station – Logan Airport via Andrew Station)
Sam Hegg got to ride on the incredibly rare 171, and wrote a fantastic review of the route. Thanks, Sam! The 171 is a special route because it only runs two one way trips to the airport. Sure, there are a lot of routes that run one or two trips a day, but what makes...
WRTA: 4 (Union Station Hub – The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley via Millbury Street)
The 4 doesn't seem like the most noteworthy route at first glance - it's a pretty short one that runs between Worcester and some suburban mall. However, it has two factors that make it an interesting ride. The first is that the route has a lengthy express portion,...
WRTA: 80 (Downtown Hub Loop)
This is a bit of a strange one, because this bus doesn't exist. You know, usually I link to a page on the authority's website about the route I'm reviewing, but that can't be done for the WRTA's 80 because it literally doesn't have a schedule page! The only way to...
Worcester
It was 2:29 PM. I was perched just inside the doorway of my Chemistry classroom, ready to bolt. Suddenly, the chime of the bell went off, and I sprinted out of the room, just ahead of Nathan across the hall. We both dodged around the crowds heading down the stairs and...
GATRA: Scituate Loop (SLOOP)
Hmm...I feel like going to Scituate today. But alas, Greenbush isn't anywhere near the town center, Scituate Harbor. Maybe there's an alternative way of getting there? Here, I'll use my trusty friend, Google Maps, to find out. Okay, well, I guess I give up. Thanks for...