Downtown Crossing (MBTA station)

DOWNTOWN CROSSING
DOWNTOWN CROSSING
DOWNTOWN CROSSING

A southbound Orange Line train at Downtown Crossing
Location Corner of Summer and Washington or Chauncy Streets
Downtown Boston
Coordinates 42°21′20″N 71°03′38″W / 42.3555°N 71.0605°WCoordinates: 42°21′20″N 71°03′38″W / 42.3555°N 71.0605°W
Owned by Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
Line(s)
Platforms 2 side platforms (on each level)
Tracks 2 (on each underground level)
Connections
Construction
Platform levels 2
Disabled access Yes
History
Opened November 30, 1908 (Orange Line)
April 4, 1915 (Red Line)
July 24, 2002 (Silver Line)
Previous names Washington (Red Line)
Winter–Summer (Orange Line)
Traffic
Passengers (2013) 23,478 (weekday average boardings)[1]
Services
Preceding station   MBTA   Following station
toward Forest Hills
Orange Line
toward Oak Grove
toward Alewife
Red Line
South Station
toward Ashmont or Braintree
Silver LineTerminus
One-way operation
  Connecting lines
(Transfer at Park Street)		  
Green LineTerminus
toward Riverside
Green Line
Peak hours
Green Line
Off-peak / weekend
Green Line
toward Heath Street
Green Line
toward Lechmere
Location

Downtown Crossing station of the MBTA is located between the corner of Washington Street and Summer Street, and the corner of Chauncy Street and Summer Street in Boston. It is the main transfer point between the Orange Line and the Red Line, and is named after Downtown Crossing, the shopping area above the station. It is the second busiest station in the MBTA network, with an average of 23,478 entries each weekday in 2013.[1]

Station layout

G Street Level Exit/Entrance
Outbound ← Silver Line toward Dudley Square (Boylston)
B1 Mezzanine and Winter Street Concourse to Green Line platforms
B2
Platform level		 Side platform, doors will open on the right
Southbound ← Orange Line toward Forest Hills (Chinatown)
Northbound → Orange Line toward Oak Grove (State) →
Side platform, doors will open on the right
B3
Platform level		 Side platform, doors will open on the right
Inbound ← Red Line toward Alewife (Park Street)
Outbound → Red Line toward Ashmont or Braintree (South Station) →
Side platform, doors will open on the right

History

Red Line platforms (formerly "Washington") at Downtown Crossing

The current, upper-level Orange Line station was opened on November 30, 1908, along with the rest of the Washington Street Tunnel. Originally, the northbound and southbound platforms had different names; the northbound was named "Summer" and the southbound was named "Winter". The lower level Red Line platforms were added in 1915 and were originally named "Washington".

In order to simplify system maps and decrease confusion, the MBTA renamed the entire station (both Orange and Red Line levels) as "Washington" in 1967. In 1985, the name was changed again, to "Downtown Crossing". Originally, the Orange Line level had an underground concourse with several direct access points to basement entrances of various stores in the district, such as Jordan Marsh (now Macy's) and the former Filene's department store. Both levels of the station were substantially renovated and accessibility was improved in the mid-1980s.

In 1979, the Winter Street Concourse was opened, connecting the upper level of Downtown Crossing station to the upper level of Park Street station two blocks away, utilizing an existing but previously unfinished tunnel.

CharlieCard Store

The MBTA Customer Service "CharlieCard Store" is located on the mezzanine level of the station. At this location, a photo ID can be obtained for a Senior Pass, Transportation Access Pass (TAP), or Blind Access Pass. Also, damaged or defective CharlieCards or CharlieTickets can be replaced or have value transferred, and MBTA Passes may be purchased.[2]

Facilities

Attractions

Bus connections

A number of MBTA bus routes have Downtown Crossing station as their downtown terminus. These include routes running to Charlestown and the North Shore region as well as express buses which run via the Massachusetts Turnpike.

#7 (a local route) and #448 (a longer commuter route) buses at the corner of Summer and Otis streets at Downtown Crossing

Accessibility

Entrance/Exit on Temple Place to the Downtown Crossing Orange Line station.

All platforms are accessible by elevator. The surface entrance is through the lobby entrance to the 101 Arch Street Building, on Summer Street between Washington Street and Chauncy Street. After business hours, an attendant must be buzzed on an intercom to unlock the door. Signs indicate the way to the elevator down to the fare mezzanine level. There is a similar secured door on the mezzanine level in the middle of the platform, between the fare gate entrance to Orange Line northbound and the Chauncy Street fare gates.

Beyond the Chauncy Street fare gates are two elevators:

There is an elevator between a kiosk on the triangle formed when Franklin Street was relocated to meet Bromfield Street at Washington Street, and the fare gate entrance at the front of the Orange Line northbound platform.[5] The bus stop for destinations north of the station is across Franklin Street.

There is an elevator between Washington Street and the fare gate entrance at the rear of the Orange Line southbound platform.[6]

There is an elevator between the rear of the Orange Line northbound platform and rear of the Outbound (Ashmont/Braintree) Red Line platform.[7]

The Orange Line southbound platform is accessed through the Winter Street Concourse from Park Street station.[7]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Ridership and Service Statistics" (PDF). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. 2014. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  2. ↑ "CharlieCard Store". mbta.com. Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. Retrieved 2014-06-28.
  3. ↑ 869 on Wikimedia Commons
  4. ↑ 870 on Wikimedia Commons
  5. ↑ 891 on Wikimedia Commons
  6. ↑ 892 on Wikimedia Commons
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 phone conversation with (617)222-3200, MBTA Customer Support Services

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Downtown Crossing (MBTA station).