BOSTON ELEVATED RAILWAY RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM
The transportation system of the city of Boston comprises a combination of both rapid transit and surface lines operated under a single fare arrangement with transfer privileges permitting a continuous ride in one general direction from one end to the other of the system. The elevated lines and the Tremont St. Subway were originally built by the railway company in 1901. Today the total transportation system includes more than 500 miles of line of which 37 miles are subway and elevated tracks. The population served in the district of more than 92 square miles is considerably over a million people and the number of revenue passengers carried, approximates 350,000,000 per year. Statistics are not available as to the passengers carried on the Rapid Transit lines.
Exterior of Main Power Station at South Boston
The original elevated structure operated between Sullivan Sq., Charlestown, and Dudley Street, with two branches through the city, one by subway under Tremont St. and the other by the way of Atlantic Ave. and South Station. In 1908-9 the elevated structure was extended to the present terminal at Forest Hills and the Washington St. Subway was completed through the business part of the city. The Cambridge Subway was placed in operation in 1912. Recent extensions include an elevated line from Sullivan Square to Everett and reconstruction of the tunnel to East Boston.
Since July 1, 1919, the system has been operated by the Board of Trustees of the Commonwealth. Under the direction of this board are included not only the details of operation and management, but also the decisions as to fares to be charged independent of the State Department of Public Utilities.
Under the direction of the present management a continuous program of improvements has been inaugurated which has necessitated the re-routing of trains to handle the traffic to the best advantage.
Briefly there are four main routes as follows:
| Forest Hills-Everett (via tunnel) | 8.59 miles |
| Forest Hills-Everett (via elev.) | 9.35 miles |
| Harvard-Andrew | 5.56 miles |
| No. Station West-Kenmore | 2.87 miles |
| Bowdoin-Maverick Sq. | 1.67 miles |