Kenmore (MBTA station)

KENMORE
Entrance to Kenmore Station
Station statistics
Address	500 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215
Coordinates	42°20′56.13″N 71°5′44.19″W
Lines	Green Line "B," "C," and "D" branch
Platforms	2 island platforms
Tracks	4
Bicycle facilities	8 spaces
Other information
Opened	October 23, 1932
Rebuilt	2005-2010
Accessible
Owned by	Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
Traffic
Passengers (2009 daily)	8,653
Services
Preceding station   MBTA   Following station Blandford Street toward Boston College Green Line "B" Branch Hynes Convention Center toward Government Center Fenway toward Riverside Green Line "D" Branch St. Marys Street toward Cleveland Circle Green Line "C" Branch Hynes Convention Center toward North Station

Kenmore (also known as Kenmore Square) is an MBTA light rail station in the Kenmore Square area of Boston, Massachusetts, and serves the Green Line B, C, and D branches. The station is located at the convergence of three major roads: Commonwealth Avenue, Brookline Avenue, and Beacon Street. The station opened in 1932.

Configuration and services

Top of former Kenmore portal

Kenmore loop connects to the outbound C/D track

Kenmore station is five stops and a nominal 12-minute ride from Park Street, the hub of the Green and Red lines. The station serves as the branching off point for the B, C, and D trains on the Green Line. While all trains converge on the same route going inbound (excepting the E train which doesn't join the others until Copley Square), when going outbound they split both before and after Kenmore station, branching off into different above-ground routes.

The tracks are configured for use as a dual-island platform, with outbound trains for the C and D branches sharing the outer tracks, and trains for the B branch on the inner tracks. The B branch uses a flying junction just west of the station to branch off, while the C and D branches continue together a short distance west of Kenmore station, and then split once more at an awkward flat junction.

The station opened in 1932, replacing the former Kenmore Incline. Commonwealth Avenue (B) and Beacon Street (C) service were routed through the station from its opening. Green Line service on the Highland Branch (D) began in 1959.

A loop track, officially called Kenmore Loop, connects the inbound and outbound C and D branch tracks. Although it is currently used for overnight storage of Green Line cars, it was originally built for use in regular service. The B Branch was to be converted to conventional heavy rail stock (like the Blue, Red, and Orange lines) and moved into a tunnel under Commonwealth Avenue, while the C Branch (the D Branch was not yet in operation) was to use the loop rather than continuing into the Tremont Street Subway. Streetcar passengers would make a cross-platform transfer to subway trains, similar to the former configuration at Ashmont.

Nearby attractions

Kenmore station is the primary station for passengers wishing to go to Fenway Park, located just one block away. However, some sports fans exit at Fenway station despite its longer distance from the stadium, bypassing congestion in Kenmore Square.

History

1996 flood

The station was closed for two months in 1996, after the Muddy River overflowed its banks, completely submerging the platform and some of the mezzanine. During the closure, substitute service was provided by commuter rail trains between Riverside and South Station.

Fares

New glass canopy bus shelter in the center of Kenmore Square

Panorama on outbound platform

Until January 1, 2007, Kenmore was the last Green Line station heading outbound where passengers were required to pay a fare upon boarding, and boarding outbound trains at surface stops was free. It was for this reason that fans going home from the game to the Newton Highlands region (serviced by the D Branch) were advised to use the Fenway stop.

Passengers now must pay fares at all Green Line surface stops regardless of whether they are going inbound or outbound.

Accessibility improvements

See also: MBTA accessibility

In 2005, Kenmore station underwent reconstruction in order to make the station ADA-accessible. Despite almost constant work, the station was kept in operation. Major changes included elevators and escalators, and a new bus shelter with a transparent semi-arched canopy placed in the middle of Kenmore Square. The Boston Globe reported that there were severe delays in construction and that the project would be completed by November 2007; renovation work was finally completed in April 2010. Kenmore station is now fully wheelchair accessible.

Bus connections

• 8 Harbor Point/UMass via South End Medical Area & Dudley Station
• 19 Fields Corner Sta. via Grove Hall, Dudley Station & Ruggles Sta.
• 57 Watertown Yard via Newton Corner & Brighton Center (this bus route replaced the former Green Line "A" Branch service)
• 60 Chestnut Hill via Brookline Village & Cypress St.
• 65 Brighton Center via Washington St., Brookline Village & Brookline Ave.

During track work and service disruptions, substitute bus service is provided from Kenmore.

External links

• MBTA Green Line -- Kenmore Station
• Beacon Street entrance from Google Maps Street View
• Commonwealth Avenue entrance from Google Maps Street View