Boston Trains Run Cheaper But Late

A report by The Boston Globe finds that the Boston area transit system costs less to operate than other major American transit systems -- but it has one of the worst on-time arrival performances in the nation.

1 minute read

December 10, 2007, 12:00 PM PST

By Nate Berg


"Over the past four years, since the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Co. began operating the region's suburban rail service, the system has regularly trailed Chicago's Metra, New York's Metro-North, New Jersey Transit's commuter rail, and the Long Island Rail Road, in on-time performance, a Boston Globe review shows."

"And since January, the system has posted its worst on-time performance yet: 84.5 percent of the commuter trains have been on time, compared to 94 percent or higher for rail lines in other states. Boston's rail operator counts trains as tardy if they are at least five minutes late; other lines define late as six minutes or more."

"Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad, whose management has historical ties to the MBTA and its chairman, operates the rail line at a cost of 29 cents per passenger mile, less than Chicago (31 cents), New Jersey (33 cents), Metro-North (46 cents), and LIRR (49 cents)."

Sunday, December 9, 2007 in The Boston Globe

courses user

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges. Corey D, Transportation Planner

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges.

Corey D, Transportation Planner

Ready to give your planning career a boost?

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

Seattle Legalizes Co-Living

A new state law requires all Washington cities to allow co-living facilities in areas zoned for multifamily housing.

December 1, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

Times Square in New York City empty during the Covid-19 pandemic.

NYC Officials Announce Broadway Pedestrianization Project

Two blocks of the marquee street will become mostly car-free public spaces.

December 1, 2024 - StreetsBlog NYC

'Vertical canyon' on glass-clad residential high-rise in Denver, CO.

Denver's New High-Rise Integrates Vertical Canyon in Architectural Design

Unlike other new builds in Denver, Colorado, a new high-rise reveals a unique “sculptural canyon” running vertically through the facade to foster a sense of community and connection to nature.  

November 29, 2024 - designboom

View of snowy buildings and mountains in background in Denver, Colorado.

Federal Resilience Program a Lifeline for Affordable Housing Providers

The little-known Green and Resilient Retrofit Program funds upgrades and repairs that improve efficiency and comfort in existing housing stock.

December 6 - Next City

Woman rides bike on paved walkway through plaza in Fort Worth, Texas.

Fort Worth To Relaunch Bike Share System in January

Trinity Metro shuttered its current system at the end of November and plans to relaunch with a mostly-electric system.

December 6 - KERA News

Blue Kansas City transit bus on Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri.

A Brief History of Kansas City’s Microtransit

The city’s costly experiment with on-demand transit is yielding to more strategic investment.

December 6 - Bloomberg CityLab

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.