It's truly amazing what a coat of paint can do. As I was drafting this review, I was about to put…read morethis poor station through the wringer. One of the things on my mind was the appearance of this station. I appreciate that the MBTA doesn't have a focus on beauty, then again, it looked neglected, for lack of a better word.  During the recent improvements, the MBTA did a fine job in painting in the platform area, and redoing the floors in the lobby. Sure, the platform floors are a patchwork of concrete, though, considering the expense in removing and repouring, I can understand why this was left as is.  However, the station is not immune from criticism. Primarily stemming from its placement after the Red Line splits into the Braintree and Ashmont lines. If you're going outbound, finding the right platform is straightforward. However, going inbound is a little less so. It is a matter of paying attention to the announcements (the sign with illuminated arrows does not work). Two tracks, on two different platforms go to the exact same destination. Why it is like this is a question for the engineers - however, from my perspective it seems unnecessary where every stop north has one track for Alewife-bound trains.  Another note I have is also regarding the layout. The positions of exists, entrances, and walkways is not the most straightforward. However, this comes with the caveats that when I've needed to use the station I didn't get lost, and I appreciate its location in a busy interchange. Finally, regarding cleanliness, while not the most aesthetically pleasing station around, I did not find it unclean. * Disclaimer: I have not used the Commuter Rail at this station.

Above ground station on the Red Line, the last stop before it forks. Inbound, the next station is…read moreAndrew and outbound, the next stations are Savin Hill (towards Ashmont) and North Quincy (towards Braintree). There are separate platforms for each fork, so if you're in a rush to get inbound, you will want to stay on the connector upstairs and then catch the next one. Ticketing concourse has the usual Charlie Ticket automated vending machines and turnstiles. There is also good signage that points the way to the Kennedy Library, where you can take the number 2 bus for free. Awesomesauce! This station also gets some trains on the Commuter Rail but I don't know much about that. I did see that not all of the purple line trains going through here stop here. There are elevators from the street level and to the platform but seriously. Do not take the elevator unless you have to! It's quick, but how in hell do people have enough time to pee in here? Jeez, what a stink!

" Perfect stop" This stop on the orange line " Stony Brook"…read moreis just perfect . It lets you off in the middle of everything. Less than half a block a thriving neighborhood full of a variety of restaurants. Taking the subway is also cheaper so it's the way to go . The trains run pretty frequently so no worries .

Roxbury and Stony Brook sure have changed. After they moved the Orange Line elevated to this new…read morecorridor, it's improved. Back then, it used to be a place that we did not go ever, especially after dark. Now? It's patrolled by police, there are plenty of restaurants and shopping nearby. And apartments/condos that are far from cheap. Today, Stony Brook is an island platform though below the surface of the nearby area. At street level, the ticketing concourse has the usual automated ticket kiosks and turnstiles. Full handicapped access with elevators and escalators down to the platform level. It is a reasonably wide platform that is pretty much indoors and out of the elements. There is seating available and announcements of the next trains towards Oak Grove/Forest Hills. Stony Brook is between Green (outbound) and Jackson Square (inbound).

Shawmut is an underground station on the Red Line and is right in the middle of a completely…read moreresidential neighborhood. Surrounded by homes and absolutely no commercial buildings, this is all about the commuters. There is handicapped access with an elevator from the street level and the ticketing area down to the platform level. The usual turnstiles and automated ticket machines are present. Helpfully, there is a visual display upstairs that indicates the next train in either direction so you know if you need to rush your way to the platform or if you can take a more leisurely stroll. Side platforms and not an island, so the doors will open on the right side. As the station is completely underground, you're protected from the elements here. There are audible and visual announcements of the next train. The station is surprisingly clean and quite modern thanks to renovations. It is definitely one of the nicer stations on the Red Line. Shawmut is between Ashmont (outbound, the terminus of this branch) and Fields Corner (inbound). [Review 9859 overall, 1437 of 2018.]

As far as T stations go, this is probably my favorite…read more First & foremost - it's indoors - protection from the elements while awaiting the train to arrive... yes please! The surrounding neighborhood is both safe and also, visually a nice one to walk through. Alternatively, if you aren't too familiar with the area or it's late night - there is also a very well-lit pedestrian walkway leading from the station out to Melville Avenue.

Green Street Station is on the Orange Line. Not a very busy station but it is fully handicapped…read moreaccessible and that's awesome. There are escalators and stairs and an elevator from the platform level to the street/ticketing level. The station features visual and audible announcements of the next train in both directions, which is helpful. There are automated ticket machines for adding value or purchasing a Charlie Ticket. When I was here, there was also a red shirted "Can I Help You?" staffer to answer questions. Located between Forest Hills (outbound, the terminus of the line) and Stony Brook (inbound), Green Street is an island platform so the train doors will open on the left.

Green Street station has been good to me…read more Seeing as this is the first stop after a terminal station, the inbound trains are always on time and that right there makes for a positive experience. Not having to hear the PA system announce: "experiencing slight delays due to police action at such and such a station" while waiting for the train to work in the morning gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling all over. It is actually a very clean station inside too. We won't talk about the tracks further down past the platform - you could build a house with the amount of garbage gathered there - but there are trash and recycling bins a plenty, so there is really no need to drop your junk anywhere but in the basura. There is almost always an attendant manning the station. There is an elevator for handicapped citizens or mom's with strollers. Location is great, it empties you out within walking distance to the Arboretum, Jamaica Pond, the Brewery complex (although Stony is closer) and Doyles. I just can't find anything bad to say about this station - except - the hoards of English High School students who swarm the platform every afternoon from 2-3 pm. They are loud, rude and obnoxious. Model citizens in the making, if I may. Maybe I'm just bitter because I have to wait and ride with these heathens three days out of the week...if I only saw them once and a while, I probably wouldn't even mention it. But they ruin my ride into work. You can't hear your iPod. You can't concentrate on a book. You can't hear yourself think in between the hooting, screeching and swearing emitted from these unruly creatures. So I pretty much sit there, brewing, watching and listening to them, because I have no choice. Which is why I'm not a teacher at an inner city high school. Point in case. Otherwise, Green is the queen of the Orange Line!

Late evening at Forest Hills, I had dinner at a restaurant across the street where I could see the…read morevery long queues for people waiting on buses. Big crowds, lots of bunching about, it looked uncomfortable. In addition to the buses, Forest Hills is the southern terminus for the Orange Line. It does get some service from the commuter rail and while Amtrak passes through, it does not stop. The next inbound station is Green Street. For the Orange Line, it is an island platform. Signage indicates which is the next track to depart (if there's more than one train) and when. There is also some shelter on the platform if there isn't a train to board. The station is fully handicapped accessible with stairs, elevators and escalators (though in the evening, they were all "up only.") There is parking here for daytime commuters. The ticketing concourse has the usual turnstiles and automated ticketing machines to purchase a Charlie Ticket or add value to your Charlie Card.

If you gave a child in 1980 grey and orange crayons and ordered him to draw a station, he'd draw…read moreForest Hills Station. Made of steel, glass, cement, and bad taste, it stands like a wart on the otherwise relatively attractive face of JP's Forest Hills section. The outside of the station features bus pick-ups and poor signage on three sides, a green line trolley stop that is marked despite it not being operational for over a decade, and crowds of people that are virtually impossible to penetrate. Once inside, things aren't so bad anymore. There's a little donut place called Mike's Donuts. Mike's Donuts has terrible coffee and pretty bad donuts. But if you need a donut and coffee, Mike's can sell you them. The news stand isn't bad, but they run out of the Globe by 8am most days. There are ample CharlieCard machines, and a big train platform. There is also fruit and flowers for sale. Security there is almost always a presence, so you don't have to worry about crime. Beware the bell system. The way it works is a bell rings, and then you have 30 seconds before the train leaves. In practice, the train's doors are often closed when this happens, or you might be sitting there for 5 minutes.

This is a nice M Line station that services "downtown" Milton. It has the usual covered waiting…read morearea, a ramp at either end for handicapped access, audible and visual announcements of the next train and there is some parking available. The station is surprisingly well lit at night. There are no machines here for adding value to your Charlie Ticket or Charlie Card. You will need to board at the front of the train so that you can swipe your appropriate method of payment. Milton is on the M line between Central Avenue (outbound) and Butler (inbound). The Naponset Path is nearby, which may be useful.

A year into my quest to visit and review every single MBTA subway station in Boston, it is finally…read morecomplete with today's stop at Savin Hill. Savin Hill is on the Ashmont branch of the Red Line. It is an above ground station and is next to Interstate 93. It is between JFK/UMass (inbound) and Fields Corner (outbound). Located below the crossover of Savin Hill Avenue, the station is handicapped accessible with an elevator between the platform level and the ticketing concourse. There are audible and visible announcements of the next train in either direction. The station has the usual automated ticket vending machines to purchase a Charlie Ticket or add value to your Charlie Card. A staff booth was unoccupied when I was here in the afternoon. The station platform is covered but quite breezy. I would imagine it gets very cold while you're waiting for a train. Woohoo, I have now been to every station on the Red, Orange, Blue and Green lines from Lechmere to Reservoir, Forest Hills to Oak Grove, Wonderland to Bowdoin and Alewife to Ashmont. Woot! [Review 9999 overall, 1579 of 2018.]

Sometimes the best way to describe something is by comparison. And that's how I best express my…read morefavor of the Savin Hill T stop... I could walk to either JFK/UMass or Savin Hill. I live exactly halfway between, in consideration of both time and distance. I choose to walk to Savin Hill, despite it's a step backwards in my commute (to Central Square) One of Savin Hill's best comparative features is that it DOESN'T smell like urine! Another is the cleaning crew I see at least a few mornings a week. The station was renovated a few years back, and they really manage the up-keep well. On the first of the month, the staff here is always very helpful while people struggle to buy the new month's LinkPass. And though this has nothing to do with the MBTA, there's a coffee shop, a dry cleaners and a bar all within 100 feet. Savin Hill FOR THE WIN!

The terminus for the M Line, Mattapan station is a full service station with audible and visual…read moreannouncements of the next train, a small shelter from the elements, some parking and is fully handicapped accessible. The station is at surface level. It is an A-OK stop. Trains from here run to Ashmont and take about 10 minutes. The next inbound station is Capen Street. There are some small restaurants and shops near the station but nothing terribly fancy. It services a mostly residential area. The fare is the same as it is for the rest of the MBTA. If you're not transferring at Ashmont, you will need to board the train at the driver's door where there is a machine for swiping your Charlie Card or Charlie Ticket.

On my last trip into Boston for the marathon, I would use this red line station if I needed stuff…read morefrom Target or wanted to eat something before heading back to my nearby hotel. Target was conveniently located adjacent to this station. There were quite a decent few Asian restaurants all within walking distance from this station.

Above ground metro station serving Quincy MA, this station also features an 800-space parking area…read more It is handicapped accessible with elevators and escalators between street level and ticketing areas. There are audible and visual announcements of the next train in both directions. This station had a staff person here when I visited. The station is clean and free of graffiti. There are automated ticket vending machines so that you can purchase a Charlie Ticket or add value to your Charlie Card. North Quincy is on the Braintree branch of the Red Line between JFK/UMass (inbound) and Wollaston (currently closed for remodeling, so Quincy Center, outbound). [Review 9946 overall, 1525 of 2018.]