Hynes Convention Center station

Hynes Convention Center station is an underground light rail station on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Green Line, located in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. Situated beneath Boylston Street adjacent to the Hynes Convention Center and near the Prudential Center, it serves as a key transit node for the area's commercial, convention, and residential districts. The station is served by the B, C, and D branches, providing direct connections to Boston University, Cleveland Circle, and Fenway–Kenmore.

History

The station opened in 1914 as **Massachusetts** station, named for nearby Massachusetts Avenue, as part of the Boston Elevated Railway's Tremont Street subway extension into the Back Bay and Kenmore Square. It was renamed in 1965 for the then-newly opened John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center, honoring former Boston Mayor John B. Hynes. Major renovations occurred in 1981 to modernize the station and again from 2021 to 2024 as part of the MBTA's system-wide accessibility and modernization program, which included the addition of elevators and improved wayfinding. The station's history is intertwined with the development of the Back Bay and the Prudential Center complex, a major post-war urban renewal project.

Station layout

The station consists of two underground side platforms serving the two tracks of the Green Line, aligned east-west under Boylston Street. The main entrance and headhouse are located at the corner of Boylston Street and Massachusetts Avenue, with secondary entrances providing access to the Hynes Convention Center and the Prudential Center complex. Platform areas feature tile work and signage consistent with the MBTA's design standards, and the 2020s renovation integrated new lighting, digital information displays, and a reconfigured fare collection area. The station's layout facilitates efficient passenger flow between the transit system and major destinations like the Christian Science Plaza and the Boston Public Library.

Accessibility

Following a major renovation completed in 2024, the station is fully accessible in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The project installed three new elevator banks connecting the street, mezzanine, and platform levels, along with tactile warning strips, accessible fare gates, and improved signage. This upgrade was a critical component of the MBTA's settlement agreement with the Disability Law Center and advocacy groups to make the entire Green Line accessible. The station now provides step-free access from the sidewalk to all platforms, serving as a model for the system's ongoing modernization efforts.

Connections

The station functions as a significant transfer point within the MBTA network. On the surface, it is served by several key MBTA bus routes, including the **1** bus to Harvard Square via Massachusetts Avenue, the **55** to Jamaica Plain, and the **CT2** to Sullivan Square. Its central location in Back Bay also provides easy pedestrian access to other major destinations, including the Symphony Hall, Northeastern University, and the shops of Newbury Street. The station is a short walk from the Prudential Center station on the MBTA Commuter Rail's Framingham/Worcester Line.

In popular culture

The station and its surrounding area have appeared in several films and television series set in Boston. Its distinctive underground environment and location near iconic landmarks like the Prudential Center and the Charles River have made it a recognizable backdrop. The station's former name, Massachusetts, and its association with the Hynes Convention Center have been referenced in literature and media depicting Boston's urban life. While not as frequently featured as stations like Park Street or Boylston, its presence contributes to the authentic portrayal of the city's transit system in regional storytelling.

Category:MBTA Green Line stations Category:Railway stations in Boston Category:Railway stations opened in 1914