Yawkey station

Yawkey station is a commuter rail station located in the Fenway–Kenmore neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. Operated by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), it serves the Framingham/Worcester Line and is situated adjacent to the Fenway Park baseball stadium. The station provides a critical transportation link for visitors to the ballpark, the Longwood Medical and Academic Area, and surrounding institutions, featuring two side platforms with full accessibility.

History

The site's rail history dates to the 19th century with the Boston and Albany Railroad, though a dedicated passenger station was not established until much later. Initial plans for a station to serve Fenway Park were discussed for decades, gaining momentum in the early 21st century. A key agreement was reached between the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, the Boston Red Sox, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, leading to construction. The station opened on December 8, 2014, named for longtime Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey and the Yawkey Foundation. It was temporarily closed and substantially rebuilt in 2023 to accommodate the state's Rail Vision program and the implementation of electrification on the corridor, reopening on December 11, 2023, with expanded platforms and improved amenities.

Station layout

The station consists of two side platforms serving the two tracks of the Framingham/Worcester Line. The inbound platform is located west of Brookline Avenue, while the outbound platform is to the east, with pedestrian access via a paved pathway and a new overpass that connects to Lansdowne Street. The 2023 reconstruction extended both platforms to 800 feet to accommodate longer, future electric multiple unit trains. Station facilities include canopies, lighting, digital signage, and fare vending machines. The design incorporates materials and aesthetic elements intended to complement the adjacent Fenway Park and the Kenmore Square area.

Services and connections

Yawkey station is served by all regular weekday and weekend trains on the MBTA's Framingham/Worcester Line, providing direct service to South Station, Back Bay, Framingham, and Worcester. During events at Fenway Park or TD Garden, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority often runs special express or extra service. Primary connecting bus routes include the MBTA bus routes CT2 and 47, which provide links to the Longwood Medical and Academic Area, Central Square, and Broadway station. The station is also within walking distance of the Kenmore station on the Green Line.

Accessibility

The station is fully accessible in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Both platforms are at-level with train doors and are equipped with detectable warning strips. The pathway system and overpass from Brookline Avenue feature ramps with appropriate slopes and handrails. All signage includes Braille and tactile elements, and the station is served by the MBTA's The RIDE paratransit service.

Future developments

The station's 2023 rebuild was a key component of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's broader Rail Vision plan to modernize the commuter rail network. Future plans include the full electrification of the Framingham/Worcester Line and the introduction of electric multiple unit trains, which will increase service frequency. Studies are also evaluating potential for a new infill station on the Green Line's D Branch nearby, which would create a direct rapid transit connection. Continued development in the Fenway–Kenmore and Longwood Medical and Academic Area is expected to further increase ridership at the station. Category:Railway stations in Boston Category:Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Category:Railway stations opened in 2014