The trains are cool and all but do you really need to stop at North station for 10mins everytime?! Anywho I can appreciate the T. I feel a lot safer riding it versus other public transit lines in other cities. I always get nostalgic when riding remembering the good ole days from highschool. Ok back to the T. It's frustrating when I have to meet someone after work for dinner or have dance class and the trains stop for a ridiculous amount of time without an explanation as to why. I'm guessing its because another train is ahead of them?? A brief announcement couldn't hurt right? It's super convenient when driving won't suffice but damn, sometimes it's such a hassle. read more

Sigh, the red line used to be the go to line. no problems took you from one end of civilization into the townie burbs down south... Since I've been back working in Cambridge, now 1 yr and 1 month. Dude the RED LINE IS S**CKING. There's always delays, disabled cars, any kind of inclement weather F***'s everything up. I definitely don't remember it being this bad. And the BIG RED cars? wth? everybody just crowds into the first and last cars anyways on the now even scanter hope of finding a seat... read more

Haveing been a long time redline rider, over 15 years. Here are some things I've noticed. I get on at North Quincy, on the MBTA schedules they say "9" minutes in between trains. Often I see Braintree bound trains go by 1 after another offloading people to State Street. The Alewife bound train is usually on a 12 to 15 minute schedule. I timed it today when i arrived at the station, 13 mintues for the Alewife train to arrive, while 2 Braintree trains went by. Why don't they put instead of "9" minutes on their schedules to "when the train gets there". This way riders will be assured that the trains don't really run on a schedule, but will just..show up when they want to. The trains are terribly inconsistent, some days you can see a 3 minute interval between trains, and some days theres a nice 15 minute interval. Of course the trains will stop midway, and a garbled message comes over the intercom saying something like "puhlease excuse for the lay, the train is stopped for skedule adjustmen" I can deal with the inconsistencies since I HAVE to rely on the T to get to work. Now if they can only do something about the fat people who take up 2 or 3 seats. read more

So my general beef with the T is that the bars close at 2 and the T stops running at 12:30 - which I think is reckless and irresponsible-- and I've heard it's because of Mob ties to the cab companies. ORLY? But the red line, ah the red line. I like the red line best (followed by the B and C branches of the green line). It goes to all sorts of great places. I've lived on it for a long time. I like it, it's homey. Also- gf exclaims (and makes bob fosse hands) whenever one of the trains with the confetti chairs (instead of the plan vinyl chairs) arrives-- "Jazz Train ! " In the morning as I commute and again in the evening, I look up from my reading or video game to watch the city arrive and recede as we cross over the river. It's calming. I've only ever seen the group "Black Guys Dancing" (check youtube) on the red line-- they make me so damned happy. Also my favorite busker (the cellist) is often in either Harvard or Porter and there's NOTHING like the sound of classical cello echoing up through all that tile. I could orgasm. I will say that the only time I've ever smelled overwhelmingly bad smells is on the red line- last night it smelled like I was sitting in a puddle of piss. So that lowers the star rating a bit....but generally, go red line, go. read more

Been using the Red Line on a weekly basis ever since I moved to Boston (5 and a half+ years now) and I must say that it has to my favorite way to get in and around Boston. It is much better than the orange, blue or green lines and seems cleaner and more reliable. It connects Somerville and Cambridge to the hubs that are Park Street and South Station and the views of Boston that you can get from the Longfellow bridge as the train crosses it cannot be beat. It's clean, on time and almost always reliable, except when they do maintenance or track work. I used to take it to classes for my undergrad and was hardly ever late. Be warned though, it does get very crowded during peak hours and occasionally you will be booted at Park Street when headed North as they sometimes make the trains express trains, that skip Kendall/MIT and Central square to drop many commuters off at Harvard Square in a flash. read more

I'm giving the red line 4 stars simply due to the fact i cannot deny that it is incredibly more efficient than any of the green line trains. when i first moved to boston i lived off of the green line - the C train and the commute into work everyday was torture. I experienced: (1) frequent stops - do you think anyone can walk another block? why are there so many out toward brookline? (2) endless waiting - beyond the kenmore station (where everyone lives) all stops are outside...hence in the summer you overheat and in the winter you freeze to death. all while you're waiting for what seems like an eternity. (3) hoards of people - i've never been so uncomfortable on a train. the green line cars are awkward with steps positioned in the middle of the train and the cars are too small to hold that many people and accomodate people getting on and off. By comparison, the red line has many less stops, travels fast, fairly crowded but can carry 5 times the amount of people, so i can always get on and most of the time i can get a seat too, and i have yet to wait longer than 15 minutes. Even a breath of fresh air compared to MUNI in SF. I don't want to jinx myself but i might have found a fairly easy commute. read more

I rely on the Red Line to get to school everyday and for these past three years, I absolutely dread to take another step inside the T. It is absolutely agonizing. I cannot explain how irritating it is when the T bombards me (or everyone else) with announcements about "delays" every couple of minutes. Apologizing once is enough and we can accept it, but after five more times it becomes a joke. Oh, the Red Line has way too many delays. On good days, I'd have to wait 10-20 minutes at the Wollaston train station for the train to arrive. On other days, I'd have to wait up to an hour - of course, by then I am also missing class and other activities. Another factor to my abhorrence of the Red Line is the lack of sanitation/hygiene. Seriously, these trains are dirty and smelly! I don't know, is it the train or is it the people? Probably both! The train isn't exactly spacious and during rush hours, we're right up against each other's butt cheek and gosh that is not fun at all! Do you know what makes people or the train smell even worst? When they're wet. On rainy days, your nose is in dire need to commit suicide. If I didn't need have to take the train everyday, I would probably be pretty content with the services the T provides (or lack thereof), but unfortunately I do. read more

Oh, Red Line. How can I not love you? I have spent the most time with you than any other line. The Green has been nothing but a disappointment, the Blue takes me to lands I'd rather not see again, and the Orange is, uh, a little stabby-stabby for me. But you, dear Red Line, have captivated my heart and soul by making me feel a full range of emotions. Happiness when i have a car to myself. Sadness when the next train is inexplicably 20+ minutes away due to a disabled train. Anger when everyone and their damn dog are trying to shove on at Downtown Crossing at rush hour, and so many more... The winter of 2015 was a rough one and I know you felt it pretty hard, but I can't fault you, nor the great people that work on you, because at the end of the day, I'm still here, safe and sound. You've been a source of entertainment - from the people that ride you to the things I see left behind. Always giving me a smile when I need it most, as someone is pressed up against me coughing in my vicinity. Red Line, never change - unless it's to improve, but you're already baseline A-OK with me. read more

I found this line to be very useful on my last trip to Boston. Loaded a Charlie card with enough cash to get me through my trip and away I went. The signs are clearly marked and provided you read the transit map, it's very easy to get around the city. I wish that Seattle had better public transport. We have buses and limited light rail, but nothing like Portland or Denver. I did make the mistake of leaving Cambridge around rush hour. I'll not make that mistake twice. I've never been so close physically against strangers. I could have let go of the hand strap and easily been propped up by the passengers around me. read more

There's currently an ad for an airplane book thriller up in the Red Line, featuring an overly made-up, soft-touched middle-aged woman in a denim jacket and total 80's mom hair, wearing an expression that lies somewhere between coquettish, smug, and thug. We are told she is the author. The tag line reads something like this: ATTENTION BOSTON: THIS RIDE IS NONSTOP. I was given extra time to digest this statement as we stood, unmoving, possibly disabled, somewhere between Central and Harvard, the irony of this crappy ad like bitter ashes in my mouth. But this isn't a question of stars, or reviews. The Red Line knows when it sucks. If it cared, it would have cleaned up its act a long time ago. But I still have to ride it every day, and you probably do too, and even though The Departed lied about where you can get cell service, it's nice to be able to carry on a phone call from Downtown Crossing to almost-Kendall. I can proudly do Chief Paul McMillan's "See Something Say Something" PSA from memory, and I enjoy watching the sun sparkle against the buildings as we pull into Charles/MGH. We won't discuss Big Red. read more

Oh glorious red line -- I have a love/hate relationship with you. But, given how I have depended on you for the entirety of my life, in the end, I can't really hate you, because I'd never be able to get anywhere on time. You are by FAR the best service line. I'm not afraid of being mugged or jumped (Orange Line), smelling like pee and/or other human excrement (Blue Line), and I don't have to wait anywhere from 5 seconds to 45 minutes for you to arrive (Green Line). You also get me just about anywhere I need to go -- you're right down the street from my mom's house, and a hop and a skip away from my work, entertainment, shopping, eating, and drinking. In the almost-nine years I've taken you to get to and from work, I can count on two hands (ok, maybe three) the amount of times I've showed up to work late and blamed it on you. However, you simply MUST do something about those "switching problems" and "medical emergencies" and "disabled trains" that are constantly occurring. I used to date someone whose dad was a senior engineer for the red line, and I know that all those excuses for code-phrases for "there is something majorly fucked with this train." read more

The only reason that I like the red line is because it smells the least like something that would come from your body (pee, poo, BO, sweat, barf, burps, farts). Whereas all of the rest of the lines smell like those things to varying degrees. However, it has the widest trains of any of the lines, which means there's plenty of room for the hip-hop "dancers" to "perform" in the aisles every Friday night. read more

The Red Line is all right. The service is unpredictable, the trains occasionally are unmarked or have the following stops message wrong. There is usually one or two unexplained slow-downs during transit from one end to the other. Today I was riding home from Broadway on the Red Line. The train car was pretty much empty, except for a 40-50 year old man sitting across from me. He was wearing sunglasses and a Red Sox hat at 8PM in the tunnel. He was also doing this little smile and staring at his cell phone. Weird, maybe he got a funny text message or something. Just after Andrew (station), I look around and notice I can see the reflection of his cell phone off of the window behind him. I look really close, and see something off-putting. He's looking at camera mode. And his camera is max-zoomed onto my groin. Whoops! Creepiest thing ever. I immediately get weirded out, give him the confused look and upward raised palms, and say "what the fuck?" He fumbles around and pretends to be getting a call. Sorry dude, we're still in the tunnel. You're sick. read more

It seems funny to "rate" a public transit option, but - since I spend most of my time on the green and orange lines - I just have to. I seriously love the red line if for no other reason than that it's more spacious. Also, the views between Charles/MGH and Kendall are quite breath-taking. Time to step up your game, Green and Orange! read more

Sorry Allston, Brighton, and Brookline. You're all wonderful places for a post-college girl like me to live. You've got parks, views, social scenes, shopping, and affordable housing. But you've got the curse of the Green Line. That hateful, slow, rocking back and forth, packed with Red Sox fans, stopping every 10 feet curse. When I moved to Boston to start work a lot of my friends chose to live in these places and take the Green to work every day while I moved north on the Red to Somerville. Needless to say it is a year later and they are all moving to Beacon Hill, Harvard Square, or Davis. Coincidence? Nope. read more

I've been taking the Red Line a lot lately. I found myself in Braintree at the Quincy Adams stop the other day and now today at Alewife going to Kendal/MIT. It's quick and seems to not have that many stops in between. Today from Alewife to Kendal/MIT, there's actually only about 4-5 stops and theres large gaps in between most stops. Its definitely cleaner and better than the Orange Line for sure, which I mostly take. I love that the T system is so much less stressful than the NYC subway system. read more

I've read some of the previous reviews claiming that the Red Line has the worst breakdown/delay ratio of the various subway lines on the MBTA. This is definitely NOT the case. The Green Line is slower than walking. My "being delayed 30+ minutes" frequency on the Blue Line stands at 100% all-time. The Orange Line has been shut down and replaced by shuttle bus service every weekend for I think 12 years now. I would give the Red Line a better rating, but it's part of the Misguided Bureau of Transit Anarchy and is therefore, unfortunately, plagued by the same "customer service" and "transit" issues that all the other subway lines (and buses, and commuter rail) have. That said, it's certainly the cleanest and best-running of the subway lines overall. read more

I know people complain about the smell in the elevators...but I've been taking them and I haven't had an issue. They have been clean and prompt...no bad smells setting off my morning sickness. read more

Without the Red Line, I wouldn't be able to get anywhere in this city. I used to take it as a child, and now I do it every day as an adult since my job is right outside one of the stops. Yeah, the "we are standing by for a schedule adjustment, we apologize for the delay" announcements every morning are annoying, but for the most part, it takes me where I need to go. My only gripe is that they never announce that there is a delay (like if there is a train that broke down or if there are faulty signals) even when they know about it before the train pulls into the station. They just let the passengers sit there like idiots, peering out of the doors, trying to figure out what's going on. Some people could have made different arrangements to get where they need to be, i.e. call a friend or take a cab. I have another gripe, but that has more to do with the people on the train than the MBTA itself. It's ridiculous that heavily pregnant, elderly, or handicapped people come on the train and so many people just sit there without even offering a seat. It just surprises me. I witnessed an elderly man with a cane and a severe limp standing for 3 straight stops, all the while holding onto the bar for dear life because he couldn't steady himself. Some guy standing next to me ended up asking (ok, yelling!) why no one was giving up their seat to the poor man. I was standing, but I def. would have given up my seat if I were sitting. Oh well. I need the Red Line. read more

I am not sure where to even begin... I think by now pretty much everyone knows what a sham the MBTA is and how horrible the whole system has become. Delays, antiquated trains and equipment, overpaid lazy employees, derailments, delays, fires on the trains, broken down trains, drivers either driving way too fast or way too slow. The Union has Governor Baker right where they want him and everyone's palms getting greased except for us commuters paying way too much money for shitty service run by idiots. Someone should just take the whole system down so they have no choice but to start over. The MBTA is a complete embarrassment to the city of Boston and to Massachusetts. Governor Baker should be ashamed of himself. Then again he's the biggest tool bag going! Anyway - found this dirty needle in the ladies room of the Braintree parking garage the other morning. There was also human waste on the floor - I think someone might either been killed there or maybe over-dosed. I posted the photo everywhere on social media and I tagged everyone - even the Braintree Police (Fox, CNN, ABC, Boston Globe, Gov. Baker) everyone... it went unnoticed. F-ing A-holes every one of them! read more

Red Line MBTA - Dirty needle - Trains Near Me

Probably the "best" line on the MBTA but with all the signal problems, track problems and all kinds of delays during rush hour it makes it tough for me to give this a higher rating. I wish the MBTA officials would spend more money of making this (and all the other MBTA transportation) a safer medium of commute. Sometimes I get nervous when I get on the Red line and I pray that I will make it out to my destination in one piece and alive! And those bums and beggars inside the trains, really, MBTA police, could you do something about this? read more

Cleaner than the green line? Eh, I don't know about that. But for getting me downtown in 15-20 minutes, running fairly regularly, being generally safe and clean, I can't complain. I would really appreciate it, however, if announcements regarding service delays could be announced BEFORE I paid my $1.70 to get onto the platform. If I'd known, I would have just taken the bus (*shudder*). Oh, and other people may complain, but those stairs at the Porter Square stop help keep me in shape! read more

To the tune of "MTA" by the Kingston Trio: Oh let me tell you a story of a girl named Flora on a festive and cold, cold night... (10 degrees?) She put her T pass in her handbag with her party shoes and makeup for a ride on the Red line bright... But did she ever return? Yes she DID return because the sub-way opened til 2... she was pleased with the service on NYE 2008 'cause she could be with her Boston-based crew. read more

Shelley: Hey Kurt, what's your middle name? Kurt: Well, it's the same as the next T stop north of JFK/UMass on the Red Line. Shelley: Your middle name is Broadway?! Kurt: Uh, no. The next stop north of JFK/UMass is Andrew. Shelley: Oh. Right. The Red Line is THE line in Boston. It gets me pretty much everywhere I want to go and hasn't really let me down or given me much to complain about in the year I've been taking it. In my miracle world it would run on time all the time (and yet ironically, in my miracle world there is no Miracle Whip) but whaddya gonna do? Anyway, keep up the good work Red Line. read more

Infinitely better than the Orange and Green Lines. Reliable most of the time, if you're underground. All bets are off once you go above ground past JFK. You can be subject to delays on a sunny spring day. Park at Alewife when possible, it's cheap considering the area and will almost always have spaces available. Just be on the lookout it you sail through a station or stop - probably means the train is operating without a conductor. read more

My experience with the red line has been a good one. My use has always been north of the JFK station, which I have been told is the more reliable section. I also have never depended on the red line on a daily basis for more than 1-2 months at a time, so my sample size might be insufficient to provide enough critique, but I've been happy! I've had bad experiences with waits and delays on the green and orange line with more frequency than the red, thus the red line gets a solid 3 stars from me! Also, there's the one conductor who sings the stops. If you're lucky, you'll be treated with that :) read more

I'm not sure why people complain about public transportation or red line. I'm a fan of the red line. It's the major T line that will get you around the Greater Boston area. As a resident in Harvard Square, I love that I can hop on the red line and get to Boston in about 20 minutes (ie. Park, Downtown Crossing, etc). I also love the view when we are above ground and crossing the Charles River. It doesn't matter if I've had a good day or bad day or if I've just started or ended my day, every time we go across the Charles, it takes my breath away. My only "complaint" is that the red line towards Alewife is out of service after the Harvard Square stop on weekends. While there are shuttles available, I have to account for extra wait time. However, all will be good again some time around March, so really, I don't have any complaints. read more

Why wouldn't you like the red line? It goes almost everywhere worth going to in Boston: Boston Common (Park St), Chinatown (Downtown Crossing), the Harbor area (South Station), and of course Harvard Sq, MIT, and Davis Sq. You need to get groceries? Porter Square stop. You want to bar crawl in Cambridge? Central Square. You want to drive in from out of town and park cheaply while taking public transit all day? Alewife, baby. The red line is better than all the other subway lines combined. Sure, it has its inherent problems because its a part of the MBTA system and they don't always have their act together. But that's why it gets 4 stars and not 5. read more

Lets just start off this review by saying I've lived off from 2 major MBTA lines since moving to Boston in 2005/2006 (3 if you want to count the commuter rail, but I don't usually). I've lived off the red line, and the green line. Like most people, I too have a love hate relationship with the Red Line. When its running smoothly, it really is running quite smoothly. I live near Davis Sq and have timed how long it takes me to get from Davis, to Park St where I switch to the Green Line for work. On average? 2 to 3 minutes in between each stop. Super fast and efficient. When its not running smoothly? Its a pure tunnel of hell. If you happen to be traveling underground between stops and get stuck, you usually have no idea how long you could be there for. Recently a friend (thank cheese and rice it wasn't me) got stuck between Porter and Davis for 2 hours due to a signal problem, fire, broken down train, you name it. You also have to hit the red line at just the right time. If you get stuck right at rush hour, you're in a sardine can. If you hit it during high tourist days, sardines. The only reason why I couldn't imagine living off from any other line and it gets 4 stars from me? The convenience it provides. Harvard, Davis, Park Street, South Station. All the places I most frequent including my home, are all off the red line. Plus, I like the color red. read more

The slowest service and the worst customer service. A few months back there was a derailment, then a fare hike, and still it is taking me consistently 50-65 minutes for a commute that used to take me 25-30. It's insanity. They have said the issues their own negligence created will not be resolved until September! They need to give discounts to those stuck using the red line as it is completely dysfunctional. read more

While I find it odd to be reviewing my main mode of transportation, here goes: The red line is infinitely better than the green line. I used to live in Brookline and daily cursed my commute. Now I only curse it like once a week! Yes, the red line does get delayed - often - but it's still pretty reliable. It also hits all the spots you need to go when you have tourists visiting! (Well, maybe not ALL, but the vast majority.) Also, it travels through pretty safe neighborhoods, which is a plus. If you are moving to Boston or Cambridge and trying to decide where to live, I'd certainly recommend along the red line. read more

I take the Red line too much. I live in Davis and commute to DTC every day. When it runs, oh man i'm so happy. When it doesn't? I want to stab my eyes out. During the winter Red had a huge problem with signal delays, disabled trains, and people getting struck (though I would say the last isn't exactly the MBTA's fault). By far the best line run by MBTA. There are frequent trains (especially if you are inbound from Alewife end), fewer stops, and the new silver trains are fairly quiet by subway standards (the old white ones.. not as much). Compare it to orange and blue line, and oh man, you're glad you are riding the red. Green? You can't even try to compare. Now includes a high capacity train called "Big Red" during rush hour. The middle of the train has all seats removed and you must stand. But the announcer will let you know before the train arrives to allow you to prepare. I've also mastered the in-train sound system. My impression is pretty good. "The destination of this train is. Braintree." Emphasis on Brain. read more

Gosh, the redline, although useful (when it's working) needs a serious upgrade. From the depots to the train itself. the MBTA is making tons of money but where is it going? And now Wollaston will be closed for 20 months? Oh, I want to see the outcome of that! I do not have a lot of hopes on that. Upgrading lighting, and other things at the station? They should tear down most off of the stations and rebuild! And the train...people come on!!! If you can't replace them, why not power wash them? They are hideous! Whoever came up with 'white' trains? I mean, really? What did you expect? They do look like trash heaps! And when it rains, it doesn't wash any of the crud. Here's another thing....the intercom/loud speakers. No one...and I mean no one can understand two words the conductor is trying to tell riders! However, when the conductors get upset with those who stand on the yellow line and they cannot shut the doors properly...well, I suppose you can understand the conductors then. They're yelling and obviously upset. Where's the MBTA police when you need them. So until these cars get replaced and until all the stations receive a face lift, get out the power washes and clean these cars and stations...would ya!?!?!?!?!? read more

Review of the morning redline inbound commute: Everyone is sad, visibly exhausted, and outwardly miserable. 20% of the people are crying on the inside. 10% are just crying. Don't expect to sit and don't even think about bringing a stroller - that would be insane. When you get off the train and enter 22 degree weather, immediately grab an ice coffee at dunks to sufficiently numb the pain, and make sure not to think at all as you cross the street, because this is Boston. You're welcome. read more

I know for Bostonians they may see the Red Line as not so great or has issues. However for a hick like me coming from Colorado and visiting Boston I think it was great since I could bypass all of that annoying traffic and go to where I wish in Boston. The maps were easy to understand for someone who is not used to commuter trains. On the same trip I went to New York and went on the subways there and was so overwhelmed with the maps I felt like Marcus in Raiders Of The Lost Ark asking people who did not speak English in the Middle East shortly before he got kidnapped. Anyway I got no complaints about Boston's train service but if I lived there I would probably understand the problems that come with it. read more

Timely, consistent and a great way to go between Boston and Cambridge (Kendall, Central, Harvard Sq and Porter). If I didn't live so close to the 1 bus, this would be the easiest way to get to Cambridge spots from the South End. read more

They are pretty consistent. The Red Line trains are certainly not clean and some of the operators are pretty surly. But, there are some great people working for the T too - like everywhere else I suppose. They usually get you where you need to go reasonably quickly. Bad weather throws a wrench into things, like it does for every other method of transportation. The monthly pass is a reasonable deal too, especially if you ride 5 or more days a week. read more

I get on the train at north Quincy station around 7:20pm. It stops two times and when I get off in downtown station it's 8:30. This is awful. MBTA is the worst public transportation ever! read more

The WORST public transportation service I've ever come across. The red and green line are alwayssssss delayed and making people late. You would think early in the morning that they would have a smooth or at least halfway smooth ride but NO. If you think leaving 30 mins early is enough time, then leave an hr early because they will make you late. read more

I LOVE the red line. It's the most reliable line in the city that I've rode. That being said, they need some improvements: Why close an entrance at certain hours or holidays, such as N Quincy? The elevator for the handicapped, etc. isn't accessible. I was giving someone a ride once, and he had to walk on crutches to the other side (15 minute walk uphill for someone not on crutches). I work and live off the Braintree side of the line. Why are there ALWAYS 2 Ashmonts for every braintree, if not more? The Braintree ones are often packed and hard to get onto at South Station. Conversely, getting on at N Quincy can also be tough (it's packed). JFK often buses people to Braintree due to maintainence/switching problems/etc. What a pain! read more