By Brady Winkler
You’re sitting in the brutal traffic of the Mass Pike as a commuter train bound for Boston whooshes past. This might make you wonder, would it be faster for my caregivers to take the commuter rail? I decided to put this question to the test to see which mode of transportation is faster, the highway, or the railway.
The Logistics
On April 28th during rush hour, I was driven from Kendal Green station in Weston, to Porter Square station in Cambridge. I began the stopwatch when we left Kendal Green, and ended it when we found parking. This time includes traffic, detours, and searching for a parking spot.
The next day, I took the commuter rail from Kendal Green to Porter, starting the stopwatch at the train’s expected arrival time of 12:27 pm, and ended it once we stopped at Porter. This factored in delays, and train traffic ahead of us. I chose Porter to be our end point as it is just a short subway ride away from places like Boston Common, Harvard, Downtown Crossing and the Charles River.
The Results
During the drive, there was a large amount of traffic on route 2 because of a lane closure and detour. It was fairly difficult to find parking near Porter Square, as there were many pedestrians and bikers in the lane. The parking space we found was right alongside Massachusetts Avenue, however it required my mother who was driving to cross a very busy bike lane. In total, the final time including finding parking was 34 minutes and 37 seconds.
When taking the commuter rail, our train arrived at the station 5 minutes late, but we quickly began speeding down the tracks to Boston. Along the way, we stopped at four stations before arriving at Porter. The final time including the delay was 24 minutes and 54 seconds. The trip was $7.20 per person, but the fare may change depending on how far you travel from your origin station.
| Commuter Rail | Car | |
| Time Taken | 24:54.97 | 34:37.38 (See Below) |
| Cost | $7.20 per person | Parking for only 2 hours maximum |
Complications
As any commuter knows, there are many factors to consider other than speed. For example, my mother who was driving had to be completely focused on the road, constantly making decisions. There were many pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers that kept her on her toes. There was also both a detour and a lane closure on Route 2. This can cause a lot of confusion for drivers, and make the already stressful commute much more difficult. The closures also added a lot of time to the drive.
However, the T is certainly not free of unexpected incidents as well. Most recently, trains have been breaking down, causing delays and frustrating passengers. There are also times when train service is replaced by a slow shuttle bus, which can add significant time to the commute. Still though, most commuters would rather relax or get something done during the delay, as opposed to figuring out detours and navigating traffic.
How can I make a decision that is best for me?
Although the commuter rail works for my family, you should always take into account what is best for you and your adults. If your parental figures hate the thought of having to drive into the city, the commuter rail is the perfect option. Once you get onboard, you are able to move about the train the entire time, and use their free wifi connection. Additionally, they don’t need to try to find parking, which can be very expensive and limited downtown. As long as you arrive at the station at least 10 minutes before departure, it is a completely stress free experience.
On the other hand, if you have a large group of people over the age of 12, the commuter rail can get expensive. These prices can sometimes be more expensive than parking, especially if you are traveling a greater distance. You also are tied to the schedule, which can be every hour on weekdays, and every two hours on weekends. Fortunately, the MBTA is working towards fixing this problem, hoping to have trains spaced less than 30 minutes from each other. As the executive director of commuter rail, Mike Muller, states, “We are leveraging the existing infrastructure and the existing fleet now to try to optimize the highest frequency we can squeeze with the assets that we have on each line, with 30 minute service really being our north star.”
Considering all the factors, I would strongly recommend the commuter rail as long as the schedule works for you. You can view these schedules with this link. With the virtually free and enjoyable experience you can have, this would be the perfect option for you.
Useful links:
“Spilling the T” Podcast (includes quote from Mike Muller)
