Boston Trip Planning MBTA question? Thanks!
Jun 12th, 2014, 07:57 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,755
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Boston Trip Planning MBTA question? Thanks!
So, we will be staying in Back Bay and will have 2 elderly ladies (86) with us who can walk, but the subway is not an option for climbing stairs. I looked at the Trip Planning site on the MBTA web site, is there a way to FORCE bus options? I can only get it to include subway travel along with bus and even if it is longer, we need only bus routes. Hoping a Boston Fodorite can help? Thanks!
Jun 12th, 2014, 08:06 AM
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,755
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
TG, can you please explain how those work? We don't have that (to my knowledge) in my city. Also, are they reliable in terms of showing up on time? Can you make advance reservations? There will be 5 of us, can they accommodate such a large party? Thanks!
Jun 12th, 2014, 08:18 AM
#4
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Where are you going?
Do I remember you were coming for a wedding or was that another trip?
There are some areas that are difficult to get to by bus alone.
Google Maps usually gives both bus and subway options.
The services that travel gourmet mentions are smartphone apps that connect you to private individuals who pick you up in their personal cars. They are as reliable as the driver, from impeccable to not at all. They may be cheap or they may be very expensive since they are unregulated and usually raise prices in bad weather. The drivers do not have taxi licenses and may not be insured to carry passengers for hire, like the old gypsy cabs in New York.
Do I remember you were coming for a wedding or was that another trip?
There are some areas that are difficult to get to by bus alone.
Google Maps usually gives both bus and subway options.
The services that travel gourmet mentions are smartphone apps that connect you to private individuals who pick you up in their personal cars. They are as reliable as the driver, from impeccable to not at all. They may be cheap or they may be very expensive since they are unregulated and usually raise prices in bad weather. The drivers do not have taxi licenses and may not be insured to carry passengers for hire, like the old gypsy cabs in New York.
Jun 12th, 2014, 08:23 AM
#5
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 26,778
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
TG, can you please explain how those work?
They are apps for your smartphone. Basically, you open it up and it uses GPS to try and locate you. You then can refine the address (including using landmarks like a hotel). The map will show which drivers are in the area and the expected time to come pick you up. You press the button and a driver comes to find you. You can track the car on your phone while you are waiting.
With Lyft and UberX, they are private folks with a car. UberXL is like UberX, but larger vehicles. With Uber, you can also call a taxi (don't see the point), a black car, or a livery SUV. Obviously, UberX is cheapest and the prices go up from there. With Uber, you use the same app for any of them and use a slider to select the car type.
Also, are they reliable in terms of showing up on time?
The estimated arrival times on the app are pretty reliable. And they are better than taxis.
Can you make advance reservations?
No. But in the main areas, you would likely have someone within 5 minutes. I'm at my office in Cambridge and show UberX cars 4 minutes away and black cars 3 minutes away. Lyft says 6 minutes away.
We use Lyft or Uber (we use both, though my wife prefers Lyft) and have never had a wait that would warrant wishing we could pre-book.
There will be 5 of us, can they accommodate such a large party?
Uber claims that UberXL and the SUV options should seat up to 6, but I have no personal experience. Alternatively, you could have two people with the app and split up for the ride.
With a group, most rides outside rush hour shouldn't be a huge premium over a bus.
They are apps for your smartphone. Basically, you open it up and it uses GPS to try and locate you. You then can refine the address (including using landmarks like a hotel). The map will show which drivers are in the area and the expected time to come pick you up. You press the button and a driver comes to find you. You can track the car on your phone while you are waiting.
With Lyft and UberX, they are private folks with a car. UberXL is like UberX, but larger vehicles. With Uber, you can also call a taxi (don't see the point), a black car, or a livery SUV. Obviously, UberX is cheapest and the prices go up from there. With Uber, you use the same app for any of them and use a slider to select the car type.
Also, are they reliable in terms of showing up on time?
The estimated arrival times on the app are pretty reliable. And they are better than taxis.
Can you make advance reservations?
No. But in the main areas, you would likely have someone within 5 minutes. I'm at my office in Cambridge and show UberX cars 4 minutes away and black cars 3 minutes away. Lyft says 6 minutes away.
We use Lyft or Uber (we use both, though my wife prefers Lyft) and have never had a wait that would warrant wishing we could pre-book.
There will be 5 of us, can they accommodate such a large party?
Uber claims that UberXL and the SUV options should seat up to 6, but I have no personal experience. Alternatively, you could have two people with the app and split up for the ride.
With a group, most rides outside rush hour shouldn't be a huge premium over a bus.
Jun 12th, 2014, 04:05 PM
#6
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,648
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
LBloom, on the T website under the time of travel, on the right, there is a drop down menu. The default is "use all services" but you can change that to bus only or rail only.
Look at this link: http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/subway/ and see if the subway stations you'll use have an elevator. The blue elevator icon will be next to the station name. Both Copley and Harvard have elevators. And they are more reliably in service these days than they used to be.
Having the hotel reserve a 5 -passenger taxi for you may not be more expensive than the Uber SUV.
Look at this link: http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/subway/ and see if the subway stations you'll use have an elevator. The blue elevator icon will be next to the station name. Both Copley and Harvard have elevators. And they are more reliably in service these days than they used to be.
Having the hotel reserve a 5 -passenger taxi for you may not be more expensive than the Uber SUV.
Jun 12th, 2014, 04:05 PM
#7
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 26,778
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
They are as reliable as the driver, from impeccable to not at all.
In what has likely been upward of 50 trips, I have never had a problem with Uber or Lyft. Yes, you encounter the occasional driver that doesn't know their way very well, but the same is true of most cabbies. In Uber and Lyft's favor, they all have GPSs.
The drivers do not have taxi licenses and may not be insured to carry passengers for hire, like the old gypsy cabs in New York.
Uber claims to insure at commercial levels when carrying passengers. I have no reason to doubt their claims.
Taxi drivers hate Uber and Lyft and they have lobbied to stop them (and spread some misinformation along the way), but I don't know anyone that uses either service who doesn't think it is vastly superior to a taxi.
In what has likely been upward of 50 trips, I have never had a problem with Uber or Lyft. Yes, you encounter the occasional driver that doesn't know their way very well, but the same is true of most cabbies. In Uber and Lyft's favor, they all have GPSs.
The drivers do not have taxi licenses and may not be insured to carry passengers for hire, like the old gypsy cabs in New York.
Uber claims to insure at commercial levels when carrying passengers. I have no reason to doubt their claims.
Taxi drivers hate Uber and Lyft and they have lobbied to stop them (and spread some misinformation along the way), but I don't know anyone that uses either service who doesn't think it is vastly superior to a taxi.
Jun 13th, 2014, 10:36 AM
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,755
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Trying to do some advance planning. We will be staying at the Copley Plaza Hotel in Back Bay and will need to go to Harvard Square for commencement in 2015. We want to be on site around 8 a.m. and want to have breakfast in Harvard Square as well.
The point of all this planning is that we really DON'T want to get stuck with a very, very expensive hotel jacked up for commencement with a 3 or 4 day minimum. We really want the Back Bay hotel location. HOWEVER, a friend of ours is trying to tell us that if we don't stay near Harvard Square, we won't be able to get anywhere near the commencement location on the day as surface traffic is such a beat. BUT, because of the 2 elderly grandmas (86) the T is not an option.
Feeling stressed and anxious here people!
The point of all this planning is that we really DON'T want to get stuck with a very, very expensive hotel jacked up for commencement with a 3 or 4 day minimum. We really want the Back Bay hotel location. HOWEVER, a friend of ours is trying to tell us that if we don't stay near Harvard Square, we won't be able to get anywhere near the commencement location on the day as surface traffic is such a beat. BUT, because of the 2 elderly grandmas (86) the T is not an option.
Feeling stressed and anxious here people!
Jun 13th, 2014, 10:57 AM
#11
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,648
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I thought you were staying at the Copley Square Hotel. I ask because there is also the Copley Plaza.
Order a taxi van through the hotel. Harvard Square is busy but it doesn't shut down. You'll get there. The city doesn't shut down. If you're not right in the square, you wouldn't even know it was Harvard Commencement. It's one of many during May and is probably not the largest.
Order a taxi van through the hotel. Harvard Square is busy but it doesn't shut down. You'll get there. The city doesn't shut down. If you're not right in the square, you wouldn't even know it was Harvard Commencement. It's one of many during May and is probably not the largest.
Jun 13th, 2014, 05:09 PM
#12
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,589
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yep, I think taxi might work about the best. There are other options but as one "up in years" I'm not sure about the MBTA. Yes, there are elevators and escalators. But just one bad fall can ruin everything. However recently we did take bus from Watertown to Harvard Square and also on the T down to Old Meeting house for a program.
One thing noted: you say program at 8 a.m. and also breakfast in Harvard Square? Not enough time for eating beforehand I would think. Getting places including walking takes time.
One thing noted: you say program at 8 a.m. and also breakfast in Harvard Square? Not enough time for eating beforehand I would think. Getting places including walking takes time.
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
5alive
Air Travel
4
Dec 27th, 2018 07:07 AM
