People dump on Harvard T station a great deal. They say it smells funny, that things don't work, and that it looks old.
Guess what? It *is* old. 100 years, to be exact (I wonder if the MBTA will do anything to celebrate the anniversary this year?). And seeing how it hasn't had a renovation since the 1980s, I think the station is doing quite well.
It's pretty big too -- located right under Harvard Square, there's an underground bus station, two levels of trains and multiple entrances/exits. There is also a Dunkin Donuts situated in the 'main' part of the station, a hot dog guy in the mezzanine area, and a little cupcake cart up by the exit near The Body Shop/Harvard Yard.
Transport -- check.
Food -- check.
Age -- check.
Space -- check.
It's busy as well. I believe the MBTA rates it as the third busiest of all the T stations (behind only South Station and Downtown Crossing). People are always shuttling through here, and yeah, some of them smell... and that makes the station smell. Sometimes of these people don't know how Charlie Cards work, so they force the doors open and/or hit the ticket machines... and that makes the machines stop working.
But this place is ALL underground. In a city that's cold 8 months of the year, that's kinda useful! When the MBTA need to do repair work, they appreciate how necessary it is to keep Harvard T station open, so it's never closed. Every day of the year -- Harvard T Station is open. And there are bus maps available to show you how to get EVERYWHERE you might want to go in the Northern Greater Boston region.
I would go as far as saying, with all the parking restrictions and one-way streets above in Harvard Square, that the station is the reason why businesses do well in Harvard, and the reason why anyone goes anywhere from Harvard.
Happy Birthday, Harvard T Station! read more