Saturday, May 4, 2013
Google partnered with the MBTA to deliver free wireless internet to the Boston area’s largest train station.
The MBTA is starting to get wired. As of Thurs., May 2, South Station has free wireless internet, according to a joint press release from Google, Redevelopment Ventures Corp. and the MBTA. Google invested in the endeavor and Redevlopment Ventures Corp. is responsible for WiFi development, the press release says. “Anything that improves our customers’ transit experience is a good thing,” MBTA General Manager Beverly Scott said in the statement. “By coupling this new initiative with the WiFi service provided on Commuter Rail trains, the MBTA is keeping its customers connected from the moment they enter South Station to the time they exit trains.” The Framingham/Worcester commuter rail line -- which passes through Auburndale, West Newton and …
Monday, April 29, 2013
The MBCR also announced two other minor service changes on the Framingham/Worcester commuter rail line.
The Massachusetts Bay Commuter Rail (MBCR) is launching an express train connecting Worcester and Boston today, according to New England Cable News. There will be two new express trains on the Framingham/Worcester Line, one inbound and one outbound. The inbound express train (P582) will leave Worcester at 6:20 a.m. and stop just once, in Framingham at 7 a.m., before arriving at South Station just after 7:45 a.m., according to a press release issued by MBCR. The outbound express train (P583) will depart South Station at 5:35 p.m. and make stops in Back Bay (5:41 p.m.) and Framingham (6:15 p.m.) before arriving in Worcester at 6:43 p.m., the press release said. This new service will cut approximately 20 minutes from the usual trip, "T" …
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
The MBTA launched a wireless internet program at some locations and on certain cars in 2008. The transit system is now looking for a sponsor to upgrade the product at no cost to the T.
The MBTA wants to upgrade its wireless Internet service, but without spending precious tax dollars. The Boston area transit system is seeking sponsorship proposals to provide upgraded wi-fi service on commuter rail cars, ferries and select commuter rail stations, according to an MBTA press statement in early March. “The MBTA’s goal is to upgrade the current WIFI service to a system wide, state of the art standard, at no cost to the MBTA and its riders,” the statement says. The sponsorship opportunity would provide the sponsor with marketing rights such as “signage and advertising in commuter rail stations, cars and ferry facilities; corporate presence on MBTA commuter rail system maps and schedules; control of a WIFI landing page; links on…
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MBTA Commuter Rail - Auburndale Station
477 Lexington St, Auburndale, MA
/articles/faster-wi-fi-could-come-to-commuter-rail-1856601e
2177892
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42.34754
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MBTA Commuter Rail - West Newton Station
1396 Washington St, West Newton, MA
/articles/faster-wi-fi-could-come-to-commuter-rail-1856601e
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42.352012
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MBTA Commuter Rail - Newtonville Station
770 Washington St, Newtonville, MA
/articles/faster-wi-fi-could-come-to-commuter-rail-1856601e
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Wednesday, January 23, 2013
A pair of problems on the MBTA snarled the commute for many, leaving some out in the freezing temperatures waiting for trains and shuttle buses.
On the coldest morning of the season so far, hundreds of local commuters were forced to wait outside for bus shuttles after the T shut down Green Line service to Downtown Boston due to smoldering cable wires. Service had resumed by 11 a.m. on Wednesday, soon enough for the afternoon commuters, but not soon enough for those traveling in the morning. On top of the Green Line trouble, commuter rail passengers had to wait in single-digit temperatures Wednesday morning as many Framingham/Worcester commuter rail trains faced delays between 20-45 minutes. As of 11:30 a.m., the P518 (10:50 a.m.) inbound train was still facing 10- to 15-minute delays. TELL US: Were you stranded out in the cold this morning? Stuck waiting for a train or a shuttle …
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
A new device will be distributed to conductors on MBTA conductors that will give them real-time information about trains all across the rail system.
A new pilot program being dubbed “Conductor Companion” is being unveiled on the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority’s commuter rail system, putting complete details about train services across the system in the hands of conductors. The Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company (MBCR), the contractor that runs the commuter railroad for the MBTA, made the announcement on Monday. Essentially it is a unique mobile application that will allow conductors on the MBTA commuter rail system to receive real-time information about service for the first time. “The speed of technology today demands an application that gives conductors the information they need and that customers want,” said Gillian Wood, MBCR’s chief customer service officer in Monday…
42.3468
-71.246962
MBTA Commuter Rail - Auburndale Station
477 Lexington St, Auburndale, MA
/articles/t-conductors-to-get-real-time-info-in-their-hands-3558ad6e
2177892
/locations/8603124
42.34754
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MBTA Commuter Rail - West Newton Station
1396 Washington St, West Newton, MA
/articles/t-conductors-to-get-real-time-info-in-their-hands-3558ad6e
2177895
/locations/8603125
42.352012
-71.205192
MBTA Commuter Rail - Newtonville Station
770 Washington St, Newtonville, MA
/articles/t-conductors-to-get-real-time-info-in-their-hands-3558ad6e
2177896
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Monday, January 7, 2013
The delays are due to a downed wire on the Amtrak line.
After facing delays and cancellations earlier today, passengers on south side commuter rail lines are likely to experience more delays during the afternoon commute. Commuters traveling on commuter rail lines out of South Station, which includes the Framingham/Worcester line, should anticipate 15- to 30-minute delays during tonight's peak hour service, according to a press release issued this afternoon by the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company (MBCR). The Framingham/Worcester line stops at three stations in Newton, including Auburndale, West Newton and Newtonville. The delays are due to an "Amtrak infrastructure issue" that occurred earlier this morning, the press release said. Around 5:10 a.m., the Amtrak rail line experienced a …
42.352012
-71.205192
MBTA Commuter Rail - Newtonville Station
770 Washington St, Newtonville, MA
/articles/possible-commuter-rail-delays-monday-evening
2177896
/locations/8546136
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Commuters should stay tuned to news outlets and T alerts for updates on service.
Although tonight's storm will likely bring more rain than snow to the Newton area, the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad is making sure local stations are prepared. According to a press release issued Wednesday evening, the MBCR is deploying engineering crews to all commuter rail stations to clear snow and salt walkways. The MBCR said in the press release it is not anticipating any delays, but commuters should stay tuned to local media outlets, the MBTA website and MBTA's T-Alerts for updates on service. In addition, the MBCR urges commuters to be careful while boarding and exiting trains tonight and during the morning commute Thursday. The Framingham/Worcester commuter rail line passes through three stations in Newton, including …
Thursday, November 29, 2012
The MBTA's mobile ticketing app expanded to south side commuter rail lines yesterday.
Newton residents who take the Framingham/Worcester commuter rail can now purchase tickets using a mobile ticketing app on their smartphones. After rolling out the app for north side commuter rail lines earlier this month, the MBTA opened up its mTicket app for south side lines yesterday (including the Framingham/Worcester line), according to Metro Boston. The Framingham/Worcester line passes through three stops in Newton, including Auburndale, West Newton and Newtonville. In addition to purchasing tickets and 10-ride passes, the app now allows commuter rail customers to purchase monthly passes and get a $10 discount, Metro Boston reported. As of Wednesday, the mTicket app also opened up to T commuter boats. Once a customer purchases a …
42.3468
-71.246962
MBTA Commuter Rail - Auburndale Station
477 Lexington St, Auburndale, MA
/articles/take-the-commuter-rail-through-newton-there-s-an-app-for-that
2177892
/locations/8250747
42.34754
-71.228919
MBTA Commuter Rail - West Newton Station
1396 Washington St, West Newton, MA
/articles/take-the-commuter-rail-through-newton-there-s-an-app-for-that
2177895
/locations/8250748
42.352012
-71.205192
MBTA Commuter Rail - Newtonville Station
770 Washington St, Newtonville, MA
/articles/take-the-commuter-rail-through-newton-there-s-an-app-for-that
2177896
/locations/8250749
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Two of the six new trains will not stop at Newton stations.
As a result of the recent agreement between the state and CSX, the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Rail (MBCR) has added six new train times to the Framingham/Worcester weekday commuter rail schedule. According to a press release issued yesterday by the MBCR, three new outbound trains will be added as well as three new inbound trains. The new schedule will go into effect Monday, Oct. 29. To view the updated schedule, click the .pdf to the right. Two of the three new inbound trains will not stop at the Newton stations, which include Auburndale, West Newton and Newtonville. The new train times were only added to the regular, weekday schedule; there will be no changes to the current weekend service. In addition to the six new trains this month…
Thursday, October 4, 2012
A deal was finalized between the state and CSX that transfers ownership to the commonwealth.
Starting Oct. 29, commuter rail riders between Worcester and Boston will see an increase in options, according to Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray. Murray said an agreement had been completed with CSX to tranfer ownership of the rail tracks and control of operations along the Framingham/Worcester line from CSX to the state. The increase in service will include three new inbound and three new outbound trains between the two cities for a total of 31 stops arriving or departing Worcester station. There will also be one inbound special express and one outbound special express next spring. The goal of 20 roundtrips will be hit a year from now, according to Murray's office. The Framingham/Worcester line makes three stops in Newton: Auburndale, West …
