Damkier's Travels: East Coast Subways and Transit

Washington, Boston, and NYC Subway Cards

The major cities of the East Coast long ago ran out of space for roads. Even during the days of horse carriages and early automobiles, many cities began to install underground railroads and subways which dramatically increased access to the region and allowed the cities to grow even bigger. I have always loved subways even as young kid begging my parents and grandparents for a ride on BART in the Bay Area. This post will describe the various subways I used on my East Coast trip.

Washington Metro Station

By far, one of the more unique subway and regional rail projects is the Washington Metro. This combination system runs under Washington, DC and continues aboveground into the various DMV suburbs. The system resembles the Bay Area Rapid Transit system in the San Francisco area, but the Metro includes a lot more underground service including some rather deep stations. The architecture is very unique with a "brutalist" style as shown above. The stations have a distinct concrete tile structure in a tube format soaring high above the track, almost like an underground cavern. The lighting comes from below casting an almost eerie glow on the station and cars.

Rush Hour in Washington Metro

The Metro system uses a fare card with each trip costing a different amount based on distance. Several stations have transfers which can make for an interesting run up and down escalators pausing briefly to ensure you are heading the correct direction. The system is now phasing in modern cars to replace the old and aging original cars after 40 years of service. Getting around Washington requires good knowledge of the system to save time and money. Plus, it is air conditioned!

Commuter Trains at Baltimore Penn Station

The entire Northeast Corridor is a megalopolis stretching from Virginia to Maine, with over 50 million people living in a near continuous city along the northern Atlantic coast. This created a need for reliable intercity passenger train service from an early age, and the modern collection of commuter trains, intercity trains, and high speed Acela service allows for a tremendous amount of transportation flexibility in the region. I was able to take one of many electric trains between Washington and Baltimore for a quick and easy day trip. This does make the train stations more like busy airports with trains arriving and departing in a constant hive of activity. All aboard!

T Station under the Streets of Boston

Unlike Charlie, I did get off the train in Boston. After driving for a week, it was nice to park the car (in Harvard Yard) and let the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority take the wheel. Their system is called the T after the original MTA and the Boston Tea Party. The system is especially famous for the song "Charlie on the MTA" in which a poor soul cannot afford to transfer and remains on the train forever. The new MBTA rescued Charlie and uses him on their fare cards - the CharlieCard - and as the system mascot often helping fellow lost souls find their way.

Subway Line in Boston

Unfortunately, even with a great backstory, the modern subway system in Boston really sucks. The system has two main subway lines and several underground streetcar lines which are consistently overcrowded, old and dilapidated, and not linked very well. Navigating the city takes a lot of skill and patience connecting between systems and hoping the train is there. Boston is a difficult city to navigate at street level, and having a subway really helps. Nevertheless, the system is really tough to love - similar to the city. Fortunately, the system also operates a harbor ferry system that provides excellent and cheap rides across the city.

Arriving New York City Subway

What a difference when I finally arrived in New York. The subway system in New York City is run by the Metropolitan Transit Authority and is simply a pleasure to ride. The fares are still pretty low with an unlimited week pass for just $31. There are 24 lines in the system including express lines that can whisk you underground nearly everywhere in the five boroughs all day and all night. The system is clean and safe if a little rough around the edges. Most of the cars are modern and new with strong air conditioning, although the stations can quickly turn into ovens while waiting during a hot summer. Transfers are usually quick, but some are much farther than they appear on the map.

Tile Mosaic at the Atlantic Avenue Station

The original subways were built and operated by private companies working for the City of New York. These companies had some style and incorporated a lot of decoration into the system giving the modern user a glimpse into a more fashionable past. Most of the stations have degraded over the years including the effects of Superstorm Sandy and floodings. I saw several stations with open leaks during rain events, but fortunately New York is performing a massive upgrade and modernization project. I personally know this due to several weekend delays and transfers due to the construction.

New York Transit Museum Entrance

The New York subway is so beloved, there is even a large and impressive museum dedicated to the entire transit system. Of course it is located in an abandoned subway station! You enter as you would normally enter a station, but are quickly surrounded by extensive and interesting exhibits about the history and modern impacts of maintaining a transit system for over 8 million residents. On the platform, there are dozens of historic subway cars restored to original condition and advertising from each era of the subway's development. This is a subway geek's paradise, and I was blown away.

I rode the E Train a lot

Subways are the great equalizers in many cities. Everyone uses them. You will see investment bankers sitting next to single mothers. Recent immigrants are decoding the same map as the elderly couple from Minnesota. They bypass traffic and quickly zoom people underground without batting an eye. You simply cannot visit the major East Coast cities without using their extensive subways. Make sure to enjoy the ride. Please enjoy the rest of my pictures below.