commute

Wollaston Station Renovation

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Wollaston Station MBTA train tracks, with a brick wall on left, and the bright yellow line on the subway platform on the right.

Over the years, I’ve often written about my commute. Subway Stories grew out of the weirdness of riding the T.

So. My commute is about to get a bit more involved. I go to Wollaston Station and it’s about to undergo a significant renovation. The construction will make it accessible, according to NBC Boston.

The article says that there will also be new elevators, bathrooms, additional lighting and better stairways. Security will improve and the flooding problem will hopefully be eliminated. The renovations may start next month and could continue through June 2020.

The changes are long overdue and I’m glad they’re happening. But the timing has been a bit up in the air and still seems subject to change. Oh and the main issue, at least for me, is that the station is going to close for several years. Yup. Years.

While I was in the CVS near the station, people were talking about how they wondered if the closure would impact the number of people visiting the store.

Shuttle buses will replace the train between Wollaston and North Quincy stations. It probably won’t be that big of a deal, but will add some time to my commute in to Boston.

The third public meeting  [PDF] will take place Wednesday, June 21st, 6:30pm at the Central Middle School Auditorium. I’m not sure if I’ll be going yet, but I’m considering it. What about you?

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*Updated 9/17/2017*

Just read a Boston.com article stating that the closure will be in late December.

Subway Stories: The Red Line on the MBTA Today

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As I tweeted earlier, it’s never good when you see your commute destination trending on Twitter. I wish there were a good parking alternative, because I would just drive in instead of taking the Red Line.

 

It’s not snowing out. It’s not that cold. The T should be functioning. But it’s not.

Red Line alert

I’m hoping that time has eased the problem and that when I get to the train, everything will be cleared up. Let’s hope.

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Screenshot: MBTA.com.

Subway Stories: Girl Scout Cookies

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Girl Scout Cookies 1Girl Scout Cookies 2As I left work last night, I was considering baking this weekend. When I walk, I find my mind creating recipes and the idea of rosemary shortbread was swirling in my head. Then I arrived at South Station to catch the train and saw a table with Girl Scout Cookies.

Talk about a mind shift! I literally stopped in my tracks and frantically started rummaging through my pocketbook to see how much cash I had. I hadn’t made it to the bank, so there wasn’t much. Was I only going to be able to get one box of Girl Scout Cookies?!

Luckily, the Girl Scouts have evolved with the times and they take bank cards now. I got three boxes of cookies: Lemonades, Shortbread and Thin Mints. G and I devoured the Lemonades yesterday. They are so perfect!

Today, I need to lay off the cookies and burn some of those calories off. But I’m looking forward to eating the rest. Maybe I’ll pick up some more as this cookie season continues. The Girl Scouts hit the jackpot of locations being inside the T and certainly helped make my commute much sweeter!

Happy Weekend to you!

 

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Screenshot: Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts

Choose New MBTA Train Design

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Vote on MBTA train designHave you voted yet? I just did! The MBTA has invited the public to vote on the design of the new line of subway trains for the Orange, Green and Red Lines. The image to the left was my choice for the Red Line.

Although, after last winter, my main concern is more whether the trains will run on time or even run at all. The design is secondary, but it is nice to be able to provide some input. According to the website, we will have to wait a bit to see the new trains though.

Delivery of the first of 152 new Orange Line cars is set to begin in 2018. The first of 24 new Green Line trolley cars will be delivered in 2017, and the delivery of the first of 132 new Red Line cars is scheduled to start in November 2019.

It’s rather disappointing that the Red Line trains will be the last be delivered, since that’s the one that I use most often. And the one with the most problems. At least in my view. Oh well….

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Screenshot Image: SurveyMonkey

#InstaWeek: Sunrise Commute Sunset

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sunrise walkHere are some pictures from last week on Instagram. Looking for pretty sights makes the sunrise walk to the T a bit more interesting each morning.

I’ve noticed from week to week, that the flowers, trees and plants change as we move away from spring toward summer. More leaves. Different kinds of flowers. The light is different too.

trainWhen it’s nice out, there’s a certain point on my ride that is really beautiful. I always look forward to seeing the water.

sunset moonriseThe end of the day can be just as beautiful as the start. A sunrise can compete with a sunset. But there’s nothing like seeing the colors change in the sky and watching the moonrise. Happy Wednesday to you!