Submitted by Psychological_Tune53 t3_zwkbr0 in providence
Hi, I'm new to the area. I live in Johnston, about 10 min from Providence, and am exploring hybrid jobs in Boston. What is the best way to get to Boston during the week? Is it easier to to drive to Providence and take the commuter rail/Amtrak to south station or drive up to Mass and take the T in at another station? Is parking easily available at the Providence station? I couldn't find any info on availability or cost online. Thanks!
Just checked and MBTA parking lots range in price from $2-9 per day. MBTA garages are $2-15 per day.
Attleboro is $5 per day. South Attleboro, which is schedule to reopen soon, is $6. The new Pawtucket-Central Falls station options in January. Not sure what pricing will be there.
So. Attle's station hasn't even had the necessary repairs yet, so it will be some time, sadly.
I'm not sure where it's at, but the statement from August 2022 said, "Early construction activity will take place intermittently at the station through February 2023." They were supposed to demolish the old bridge in fall 2022. Any idea if that happened?
It's quite intact so I imagine they now need to update their timeline.
“Early construction activity” is just part of the work that needs to be done. The funding hasn’t yet been established for the full scope of work. So there’s no timeline for reopening the station at this point.
It's slated to be reopened in February. I haven't gotten closer than passing on the highway but construction should have started a few months ago
Didn't look like it last time I passed through.
There’s no timeline for reopening the station at this point.
I'm just repeating what multiple media outlets, local politicians MBTA had said in late Summer. It's the MBTA, so it'd be a little weird if there wasn't a delay between then and now
The only reporting I can find says that they got $8 million for the demolition and early work, but that they have yet to secure the full $60 million in funding to complete the project: https://www.thesunchronicle.com/news/local_news/mbta-plans-to-start-work-in-fall-on-south-attleboro-commuter-rail-station/article_ba52a6b1-a432-5e3c-9646-4033998a2eb3.html
If you have more recent/accurate info, please share.
Like I said, I don't think there's been any update since the Summer. In theory, if someone says they're going to start doing a thing in the fall and doesn't provide any update on a delay, you assume the thing is being done as scheduled.
Then again, it is the MBTA so on-time is a tall order.
Except they never announced when they’d be done, only that some preliminary work was starting. There is no timeline for reopening the station at this point. You can complain about the T’s numerous failures all you want, but you can’t fault them for not honoring a timeline that never existed.
I don't know why you're arguing about this but here's the channel 10 report from then: https://turnto10.com/news/local/south-attleboro-massachusetts-bay-transporation-authority-train-demolition-transporation-boston-rhode-island-passenger-downtown-attleboro-project-construction
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Here's some random transit magazine I've never heard of saying the same thing: https://www.masstransitmag.com/technology/facilities/shelters-stations-fixtures-parking-lighting/press-release/21276544/massachusetts-bay-transportation-authority-mbta-mbta-announces-timeline-for-south-attleboro-station-accessibility-improvements-project-construction-work
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I didn't just make this up, my guy.
Thank you for providing sources!
I think the issue is that you were misled by WJAR’s shoddy reporting. The Mass Transit magazine piece has more accurate wording:
> Early construction activity will take place intermittently at the station through February 2023.
Meaning the preliminary work was expected to be done in February. But that same article quotes the MBTA GM as saying:
> “We’re excited to see these upcoming station upgrades reach 100 percent design and look forward to acquiring the necessary construction funding to make these critical repairs and important accessibility improvements at South Attleboro so that we can return Commuter Rail service to the station”
Has the MBTA even started doing anything? In re-reading this shit for the world's most pointless argument, it seemed like they should've at least knocked down the old bridge by now.
I don’t know. But sincerely, thanks for sticking with this inane thread and sharing the source of the inaccurate info. I’ve been following this project closely for the last couple years, so the February 2023 date made no sense to me, and this isn’t the first time I’ve seen Channel 10 bungle their facts.
It's also $5 at TF Greene
Thank you for the the detailed response, very helpful!
drive to Attleboro station. It’s significantly cheaper to park per day. $5 for the whole day versus providence is anywhere from $20-$25 a day. Unless you can get a friend/family member to drop you off everyday, Attleboro is a better bet. Just my opinion
I currently drive to Attleboro ($5 a day for parking) and take the commuter rail from there but the Pawtucket station is also opening at the end of January. Not sure what the fee for parking will be there yet.
Attleboro is the way to go for the commuter rail. Get there after 8 and you'll be parking in Guam though.
I've been doing the RI - Boston commute for a decade now, and while it can be a pain there are a ton of better and higher paying jobs in Boston, at least in my field, but on the Boston salary I can live the good life in RI.
Attleboro station is your best choice. Take 295 to 95.
In addition to what everyone else has said:
There is only a small proximity around South Station or Back Bay where you’d want to look for a job. Any further and you’re looking at another 20-30+ mins on bus or train in Boston.
The night schedule really sucks. They reduced the schedule during COVID and have yet to really add anything back in. Only one train an hour goes all the way to Providence, and if you miss the 9:40pm you’re stuck in the city.
There could be a ton of traffic driving Johnston to a closer to Boston commuter rail stop, I know people do it but not sure how much it helps you time wise.
I commute to Boston a few times a week.
Driving is hellacious. Don’t do it. The traffic is awful.
Several folks have mentioned driving to Attleboro station for cheaper parking if you can. However, if you park at the Avalon right across from the PVD station parking is only $13 (before 8 I think) vs the $18 the station lot charges. These days I just take the bus from my house to the station though unless the weather is too bad for me to walk to the bus stop.
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There are pretty frequent buses that go down route 6 in Johnston to within a few blocks of the train station. The commuter rail takes about an hour to South Station, and Amtrak is around 45 minutes. To me, that beats the hell out of driving to Boston.
295 to 95 north to beat Providence traffic, to 93 or 128 depending on where in Boston.
Amtrak or MTBA. I've done both. It's miserable either way. PVD amtrak station rapes you on parking.
Turbulent_Signal800 t1_j1v7ttx wrote
I did the Boston commute for a while. It’s a huge pain. Depends on how often you need to go in.
A few points on the train - very easy on Commuter Rail, but it’s the parking that will kill you. Plenty of spots but I think it’s $18 a day + the train fare. Taking an Uber or similar won’t be much cheaper. With the drive to the station, ~1 hour train, walking and wait time for the train, assume 2 hours door to door. Amtrak is much faster but much more expensive and busier with commuters from NYC.
If you can drive all the way in, you’ll have to leave really early (5:30 am at latest) or it could be 2+ hours in traffic. Plus the cost of parking in Boston is outrageous.
If you drive closer in, and take the T or a closer commuter rail stop like South Attleboro, parking is virtually impossible. Don’t bother driving to a legit T station - constantly out of service and you’ll be better off going all the way in.
My advice is limit the commute as much as possible - no more than once per week.