MBTA: Red Line

[JSD]

I'm thinking about parking near Davis Square tomorrow morning and taking the Red Line into Quincy Center.

Anyone know the commute time for this?

[Kwhit10]

If you leave at 8am it should take about 35-45 minutes.

[JSD]

If you leave at 8am it should take about 35-45 minutes.

About what I expected I guess, thanks. It might make more sense to drive, I have to be there at 7:45 AM.

[kozlodoev]

That T time sounds a bit optimistic. It typically takes me ~30 minutes to reach South Station from Porter Sq, I can't see making it to Quincy in 45 minutes. But I might be wrong.

[Rondo2287]

I would say give yourself 50 min to an hour.  Better safe than sorry, and unfortunately the redline is not predictable.  The MBTA does have a trip planner on their website though so you can see how long they predict it will take at a given time of day.

[Overrated]

unfortunately the redline is not predictable.

None of the lines are predictable. Well, I take that back. Once a year you can put money on the green line crashing.

[celts55]

If you leave at 8am it should take about 35-45 minutes.

Just curious but what differance does it make if you leave at 8am? Does it take longer if you leave a 9? Wouldn't it always be the same amount of travel time?

[Chris]

If you leave at 8am it should take about 35-45 minutes.

Just curious but what differance does it make if you leave at 8am? Does it take longer if you leave a 9? Wouldn't it always be the same amount of travel time?

Well, trains come at less frequent during different times of day.  And also, at rush hour, trains take a little longer on the trip, since there are more people getting on and getting off. 

Unfortunately, on the MBTA, they don't put much stock in schedules, and getting anyplace on time. 

Just curious though, why not drive to Quincy?  Parking is no worse in Quincy than it is by Davis (in fact, I think its easier to park in Quincy...although perhaps you should be a little more careful locking your car), and if you take the right routes, it shouldn't be a longer drive than train ride.  I certainly understand if your not used to driving through the city, I just avoid taking the T at all cost...if I am going to be late, I feel better being stuck in traffic, than sitting in a train with no clue what is going on.

[celts55]

If you leave at 8am it should take about 35-45 minutes.

Just curious but what differance does it make if you leave at 8am? Does it take longer if you leave a 9? Wouldn't it always be the same amount of travel time?

Well, trains come at less frequent during different times of day.  And also, at rush hour, trains take a little longer on the trip, since there are more people getting on and getting off. 

Unfortunately, on the MBTA, they don't put much stock in schedules, and getting anyplace on time. 

Just curious though, why not drive to Quincy?  Parking is no worse in Quincy than it is by Davis (in fact, I think its easier to park in Quincy...although perhaps you should be a little more careful locking your car), and if you take the right routes, it shouldn't be a longer drive than train ride.  I certainly understand if your not used to driving through the city, I just avoid taking the T at all cost...if I am going to be late, I feel better being stuck in traffic, than sitting in a train with no clue what is going on.

Thanks for the clearifation. I assumed he was talking about the travel time once he was already on the train. As fot your advise about driving instead, since the question was posted on the 3rd and it said he was going the next morning, I quess it's a mute point now.

[guava_wrench]

I would say give yourself 50 min to an hour.  Better safe than sorry, and unfortunately the redline is not predictable.  The MBTA does have a trip planner on their website though so you can see how long they predict it will take at a given time of day.

My experiences have been very good with the trip planner on the website.

If you really need to be on time, give yourself some cushion. Plan a trip at least one train earlier, just in case a train has to go out of service.