R. Smith
@rsmith3.bsky.social
they/them
building housing, one detail at a time
🏙️ Boston 💚 Twin Cities
building housing, one detail at a time
🏙️ Boston 💚 Twin Cities
Beyond that, I would probably mess around more with route optimization and strategizing best start/end/connecting points. This was planned in <2 hours so I’m curious what else I can come up with if I dig a little deeper. I was biased towards start and end points that were personally convenient.
June 19, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Beyond that, I would probably mess around more with route optimization and strategizing best start/end/connecting points. This was planned in <2 hours so I’m curious what else I can come up with if I dig a little deeper. I was biased towards start and end points that were personally convenient.
I think this time is definitely beatable. Better luck could have shaved 30 mins off easily, though that can’t be optimized. I could have ran instead of walking if I really felt like it. I think using the bus to connect Orange to Blue would also have helped.
June 19, 2025 at 9:30 PM
I think this time is definitely beatable. Better luck could have shaved 30 mins off easily, though that can’t be optimized. I could have ran instead of walking if I really felt like it. I think using the bus to connect Orange to Blue would also have helped.
14. Kenmore ➡️ Boston College (37:39)
B line is slow, what else is new? I chose to end here because this was another line I really didn’t want to be stuck double-backing on. A quick connection at Kenmore fueled a ponderously slow ride out to BC for a total time of 8:42:13.
B line is slow, what else is new? I chose to end here because this was another line I really didn’t want to be stuck double-backing on. A quick connection at Kenmore fueled a ponderously slow ride out to BC for a total time of 8:42:13.
June 19, 2025 at 9:28 PM
14. Kenmore ➡️ Boston College (37:39)
B line is slow, what else is new? I chose to end here because this was another line I really didn’t want to be stuck double-backing on. A quick connection at Kenmore fueled a ponderously slow ride out to BC for a total time of 8:42:13.
B line is slow, what else is new? I chose to end here because this was another line I really didn’t want to be stuck double-backing on. A quick connection at Kenmore fueled a ponderously slow ride out to BC for a total time of 8:42:13.
13. Cleveland Circle ➡️ Kenmore (24:22)
This included about an 8 minute wait at Cleveland Circle, so this travel time was actually quite good. I ride this branch every day and it can feel a lot slower. Midafternoon was a good time for this one.
This included about an 8 minute wait at Cleveland Circle, so this travel time was actually quite good. I ride this branch every day and it can feel a lot slower. Midafternoon was a good time for this one.
June 19, 2025 at 9:26 PM
13. Cleveland Circle ➡️ Kenmore (24:22)
This included about an 8 minute wait at Cleveland Circle, so this travel time was actually quite good. I ride this branch every day and it can feel a lot slower. Midafternoon was a good time for this one.
This included about an 8 minute wait at Cleveland Circle, so this travel time was actually quite good. I ride this branch every day and it can feel a lot slower. Midafternoon was a good time for this one.
12. Heath St ➡️ Cleveland Circle (30:48)
One of my principles was to backtrack as little as possible, so instead of heading all the way back in to Back Bay, I walked to Brookline Village, took the D to Reservoir, and then walked to CC. Google Maps lied here, and I ended up waiting 10 mins for the D
One of my principles was to backtrack as little as possible, so instead of heading all the way back in to Back Bay, I walked to Brookline Village, took the D to Reservoir, and then walked to CC. Google Maps lied here, and I ended up waiting 10 mins for the D
June 19, 2025 at 9:25 PM
12. Heath St ➡️ Cleveland Circle (30:48)
One of my principles was to backtrack as little as possible, so instead of heading all the way back in to Back Bay, I walked to Brookline Village, took the D to Reservoir, and then walked to CC. Google Maps lied here, and I ended up waiting 10 mins for the D
One of my principles was to backtrack as little as possible, so instead of heading all the way back in to Back Bay, I walked to Brookline Village, took the D to Reservoir, and then walked to CC. Google Maps lied here, and I ended up waiting 10 mins for the D
11. Gov Ctr ➡️ Heath St (37:47)
Not quite as slow as I feared it could be, but considering I could do the entire Orange Line faster, it’s still a bit sad. Getting out of Heath St was a bit of a conundrum so I took a solution I use a lot in my regular travels to JP from my neighborhood.
Not quite as slow as I feared it could be, but considering I could do the entire Orange Line faster, it’s still a bit sad. Getting out of Heath St was a bit of a conundrum so I took a solution I use a lot in my regular travels to JP from my neighborhood.
June 19, 2025 at 9:21 PM
11. Gov Ctr ➡️ Heath St (37:47)
Not quite as slow as I feared it could be, but considering I could do the entire Orange Line faster, it’s still a bit sad. Getting out of Heath St was a bit of a conundrum so I took a solution I use a lot in my regular travels to JP from my neighborhood.
Not quite as slow as I feared it could be, but considering I could do the entire Orange Line faster, it’s still a bit sad. Getting out of Heath St was a bit of a conundrum so I took a solution I use a lot in my regular travels to JP from my neighborhood.
10. Wonderland ➡️ Government Center (29:28)
Probably the longest (in time, anyway) segment of backtracking I did in this journey. All that was left was the rest of the western Green Line!
Probably the longest (in time, anyway) segment of backtracking I did in this journey. All that was left was the rest of the western Green Line!
June 19, 2025 at 9:19 PM
10. Wonderland ➡️ Government Center (29:28)
Probably the longest (in time, anyway) segment of backtracking I did in this journey. All that was left was the rest of the western Green Line!
Probably the longest (in time, anyway) segment of backtracking I did in this journey. All that was left was the rest of the western Green Line!
9. Oak Grove ➡️ Wonderland (59:36)
This segment was not great. I debated taking the 110 bus at Wellington and in hindsight probably should have. I transferred on foot from Haymarket to Bowdoin to check that station off, but due to delays on the Blue Line, waited about 12 mins for the train.
This segment was not great. I debated taking the 110 bus at Wellington and in hindsight probably should have. I transferred on foot from Haymarket to Bowdoin to check that station off, but due to delays on the Blue Line, waited about 12 mins for the train.
June 19, 2025 at 9:17 PM
9. Oak Grove ➡️ Wonderland (59:36)
This segment was not great. I debated taking the 110 bus at Wellington and in hindsight probably should have. I transferred on foot from Haymarket to Bowdoin to check that station off, but due to delays on the Blue Line, waited about 12 mins for the train.
This segment was not great. I debated taking the 110 bus at Wellington and in hindsight probably should have. I transferred on foot from Haymarket to Bowdoin to check that station off, but due to delays on the Blue Line, waited about 12 mins for the train.
Actually- the bus was 32:29. The 35:16 time corresponds to:
8. Forest Hills ➡️ Oak Grove
Absolutely astonishing speed. I was so impressed by how much the Orange Line has improved. I also had a really fast connection time from the bus to the train which helped keep this segment to a minimum.
8. Forest Hills ➡️ Oak Grove
Absolutely astonishing speed. I was so impressed by how much the Orange Line has improved. I also had a really fast connection time from the bus to the train which helped keep this segment to a minimum.
June 19, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Actually- the bus was 32:29. The 35:16 time corresponds to:
8. Forest Hills ➡️ Oak Grove
Absolutely astonishing speed. I was so impressed by how much the Orange Line has improved. I also had a really fast connection time from the bus to the train which helped keep this segment to a minimum.
8. Forest Hills ➡️ Oak Grove
Absolutely astonishing speed. I was so impressed by how much the Orange Line has improved. I also had a really fast connection time from the bus to the train which helped keep this segment to a minimum.
7. Mattapan ➡️ Forest Hills via the 31 bus (35:16)
The bus got a little bogged down in traffic but I’m still very pleased with this connection. It’s super useful in linking the spokes of the network together.
The bus got a little bogged down in traffic but I’m still very pleased with this connection. It’s super useful in linking the spokes of the network together.
June 19, 2025 at 9:11 PM
7. Mattapan ➡️ Forest Hills via the 31 bus (35:16)
The bus got a little bogged down in traffic but I’m still very pleased with this connection. It’s super useful in linking the spokes of the network together.
The bus got a little bogged down in traffic but I’m still very pleased with this connection. It’s super useful in linking the spokes of the network together.
6. JFK ➡️ Mattapan via Ashmont (40:09).
The long connection at JFK was offset by a perfect connection at Ashmont. I love the quaint old cars on the Mattapan line, but for the sake of the everyday ridership, I look forward to seeing them get modern and accessible trains someday.
The long connection at JFK was offset by a perfect connection at Ashmont. I love the quaint old cars on the Mattapan line, but for the sake of the everyday ridership, I look forward to seeing them get modern and accessible trains someday.
June 19, 2025 at 9:09 PM
6. JFK ➡️ Mattapan via Ashmont (40:09).
The long connection at JFK was offset by a perfect connection at Ashmont. I love the quaint old cars on the Mattapan line, but for the sake of the everyday ridership, I look forward to seeing them get modern and accessible trains someday.
The long connection at JFK was offset by a perfect connection at Ashmont. I love the quaint old cars on the Mattapan line, but for the sake of the everyday ridership, I look forward to seeing them get modern and accessible trains someday.
5. Braintree ➡️ JFK/UMass (21:09)
These times include the wait at the first station, for reference. I reversed back to JFK to set up for the Ashmont branch. Unfortunately I arrived at JFK just in time to see an Ashmont train leaving a few platforms over- leading to a 12 min connection.
These times include the wait at the first station, for reference. I reversed back to JFK to set up for the Ashmont branch. Unfortunately I arrived at JFK just in time to see an Ashmont train leaving a few platforms over- leading to a 12 min connection.
June 19, 2025 at 9:07 PM
5. Braintree ➡️ JFK/UMass (21:09)
These times include the wait at the first station, for reference. I reversed back to JFK to set up for the Ashmont branch. Unfortunately I arrived at JFK just in time to see an Ashmont train leaving a few platforms over- leading to a 12 min connection.
These times include the wait at the first station, for reference. I reversed back to JFK to set up for the Ashmont branch. Unfortunately I arrived at JFK just in time to see an Ashmont train leaving a few platforms over- leading to a 12 min connection.
4. Alewife ➡️ Braintree (54:59)
Faster than the D branch! I enjoyed this ride, chatting with another passenger who was also riding the trains on his day off and had stayed on the same train as me. I initially considered ending at Braintree, but changed my mind when looking at Transitmatters data.
Faster than the D branch! I enjoyed this ride, chatting with another passenger who was also riding the trains on his day off and had stayed on the same train as me. I initially considered ending at Braintree, but changed my mind when looking at Transitmatters data.
June 19, 2025 at 9:04 PM
4. Alewife ➡️ Braintree (54:59)
Faster than the D branch! I enjoyed this ride, chatting with another passenger who was also riding the trains on his day off and had stayed on the same train as me. I initially considered ending at Braintree, but changed my mind when looking at Transitmatters data.
Faster than the D branch! I enjoyed this ride, chatting with another passenger who was also riding the trains on his day off and had stayed on the same train as me. I initially considered ending at Braintree, but changed my mind when looking at Transitmatters data.
7 min wait time at E. Somerville didn’t help my cause though.
3. Medford/Tufts ➡️ Alewife (30:32). Via a ~20 min walk to Davis. Train was a bit slow getting into Alewife. But I ended up getting to stay on the same train for segment 4.
3. Medford/Tufts ➡️ Alewife (30:32). Via a ~20 min walk to Davis. Train was a bit slow getting into Alewife. But I ended up getting to stay on the same train for segment 4.
June 19, 2025 at 9:01 PM
7 min wait time at E. Somerville didn’t help my cause though.
3. Medford/Tufts ➡️ Alewife (30:32). Via a ~20 min walk to Davis. Train was a bit slow getting into Alewife. But I ended up getting to stay on the same train for segment 4.
3. Medford/Tufts ➡️ Alewife (30:32). Via a ~20 min walk to Davis. Train was a bit slow getting into Alewife. But I ended up getting to stay on the same train for segment 4.
2. Union Sq ➡️ Medford/Tufts (28:14)
I decided to walk to East Somerville and pick up the E line from there, rather than doubling back and repeating Lechmere. I had looked at the Google Maps timings and figured it would likely be a wash either way. (Later, I learned Maps was not 100% accurate though)
I decided to walk to East Somerville and pick up the E line from there, rather than doubling back and repeating Lechmere. I had looked at the Google Maps timings and figured it would likely be a wash either way. (Later, I learned Maps was not 100% accurate though)
June 19, 2025 at 8:59 PM
2. Union Sq ➡️ Medford/Tufts (28:14)
I decided to walk to East Somerville and pick up the E line from there, rather than doubling back and repeating Lechmere. I had looked at the Google Maps timings and figured it would likely be a wash either way. (Later, I learned Maps was not 100% accurate though)
I decided to walk to East Somerville and pick up the E line from there, rather than doubling back and repeating Lechmere. I had looked at the Google Maps timings and figured it would likely be a wash either way. (Later, I learned Maps was not 100% accurate though)
1: Riverside ➡️ Union Sq (59:39)
The single longest segment of my run was the first. I definitely wanted to start or end the run in Riverside with how long and slow the western D branch is, and for positioning it made more sense for me to start there.
The single longest segment of my run was the first. I definitely wanted to start or end the run in Riverside with how long and slow the western D branch is, and for positioning it made more sense for me to start there.
June 19, 2025 at 8:57 PM
1: Riverside ➡️ Union Sq (59:39)
The single longest segment of my run was the first. I definitely wanted to start or end the run in Riverside with how long and slow the western D branch is, and for positioning it made more sense for me to start there.
The single longest segment of my run was the first. I definitely wanted to start or end the run in Riverside with how long and slow the western D branch is, and for positioning it made more sense for me to start there.
8:42:13 all in. Not bad for a first attempt! Will do some analysis shortly.
June 19, 2025 at 8:05 PM
8:42:13 all in. Not bad for a first attempt! Will do some analysis shortly.