I don’t live in PVD (zone 8) but I’ve been a daily commuter to BOS as someone who lives closer to PVD than BOS. I’ve relied on the MBTA throughout college and now for work. It’s definitely doable, but like many have said here, it’ll take some advance planning, trial and error, and time to get used to.

One of the perks of using the commuter rail is that you can be more productive since your attention isn’t on the road. You can do work, relax, read, etc.

Subscribe to get text/email alerts directly from the T, and specifically for the trains you’ll be taking everyday, so you can get updates in case of delays or canceled trains. Have a back-up plan (drive yourself/Uber/WFH), because delays WILL happen.

Also having an employer who is aware of your commuting routine is good because they’ll be more sympathetic when your train is running late. Plus, a delayed train is easily verifiable because they’re posted, so your employer can trust you when you say you’re late due to train delays. But this also means you’ll be at the mercy of the train schedule. Their delays means your delays, and it feels unfair but that’s the trade off you make when you depend on an external system to get you to work on time.