Green Line B branch

Green Line B branch
source
Name	B branch
Type	Light rail
System	MBTA subway
Status	Operating
Locale	Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Start	Blandford Street
End	Boston College
Stations	24
Open	1896 (streetcar), 1932 (grade-separated)
Owner	Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
Operator	Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
Character	At-grade, street-running, and elevated
Stock	Type 7, Type 8
Linelength	4.3 mi (6.9 km)

Green Line B branch. The B branch is one of the four street-level branches of the Green Line, the light rail system operated by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority in Greater Boston. It runs from a junction at Blandford Street near Boston University west along Commonwealth Avenue to its terminus at Boston College in the Brighton neighborhood. The branch is known for its street-running section and high ridership from the student populations of Boston University, Boston College, and other area institutions.

History

The route originated as a streetcar line operated by the Boston Elevated Railway, with service along Commonwealth Avenue beginning in 1896. The line was integrated into the Green Line's precursor, the Tremont Street subway, with through-service to Park Street established in the early 20th century. Major infrastructure changes occurred in 1932 when the line was connected to the new Kenmore portal and the grade-separated Boston University Central section opened, replacing a street-level right-of-way. The terminus was extended to its current location at Boston College in 1955. The line, along with the rest of the Green Line, came under the control of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority following its creation in 1964.

Route and stations

The branch diverges from the Green Line trunk at a junction just west of Blandford Street station, located near Boston University's main campus. It travels west on a private, grade-separated right-of-way through the Boston University Central area before transitioning to street-running in the center median of Commonwealth Avenue. Key stations along this corridor include Boston University East, Boston University Central, and Boston University West, serving the university. The route continues through the neighborhoods of Allston and Brighton, with notable stops at Harvard Avenue, Griggs Street, and Washington Street. The line terminates at an at-grade station adjacent to the campus of Boston College in Brighton.

Rolling stock

Service on the branch is provided by the MBTA's standard Green Line fleet. The primary vehicles are the Kinki Sharyo Type 7 and the AnsaldoBreda Type 8 low-floor light rail vehicles. These cars are necessary to serve the branch's numerous at-grade, street-level stops, which require accessibility compliance under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The fleet is maintained at the Green Line's central maintenance facility at Riverside and is stored overnight at various yards, including the Boston College yard.

Service and operations

The B branch operates daily, with service frequencies ranging from 5-6 minutes during peak periods on weekdays to longer headways during evenings and weekends. All trips travel through the Green Line's central subway, with most continuing to Government Center, Park Street, or North Station. Due to its extensive street-running segment and numerous closely spaced stops, it is typically the slowest of the four Green Line branches. Operations are frequently affected by traffic congestion on Commonwealth Avenue and priority is governed by standard traffic signals, unlike the signal priority systems used on parts of the D branch.

Future plans

Long-term proposals within the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's strategic plans have included potential upgrades to improve reliability and speed. Concepts studied have involved creating more dedicated right-of-way, implementing transit signal priority at intersections along Commonwealth Avenue, and consolidating some station stops to reduce travel time. These improvements are often discussed in the context of regional initiatives like the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization's long-range plan. However, major capital projects for the branch compete for funding with larger MBTA priorities such as the Green Line Extension and the modernization of the Red Line and Orange Line fleets.

Category:Green Line (MBTA) branches Category:Rail transportation in Boston, Massachusetts Category:Transportation in Brighton, Boston