Central station (MBTA)

Central (also called Central Square station) is an MBTA transit station in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It serves the rapid transit Red Line and has a street-level terminal for the MBTA Bus system. It is located at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue with Western Avenue, Prospect Street, and Magazine Street at Central Square.

Not to be confused with Central Avenue station (MBTA).
Central
Inbound platform at Central in 2013
LocationMassachusetts Avenue at Prospect Street
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Coordinates42°21′54″N 71°06′12″W
Owned byMassachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
Line(s)Cambridge Tunnel
Platforms2 side platforms
Tracks2
Connections MBTA Bus: 1, 47, 64, 70, 83, 91
Construction
Bicycle facilities36 spaces
Disabled accessYes
History
OpenedMarch 23, 1912
Rebuilt1980s
Traffic
Passengers (2013)16,525 (weekday average boardings)[1]
Services
Preceding station MBTA Following station
Harvard
toward Alewife
 Red Line Kendall/MIT
toward Ashmont or Braintree

The station is fully accessible, with each of the two side platforms served by an elevator.

History
Old tile sign above the platforms

Central Square station opened along with Park Street Under, Kendall Square station, and Harvard Square station on March 23, 1912. Several 1912-built tile mosaics displaying the station name are still visible above the platforms. Similar mosaics are visible at a number of other older MBTA stations, including South Station and Broadway on the Red Line.

On January 26, 1978, heavy rains flooded the station.[2]

In the mid–1980s, the platforms were extended at many early-built Red Line stations, allowing 6-car trains to be run beginning in January 1988.[3] The platforms at Central were extended to the northwest (contrary to original plans for the southeast) beginning on April 25, 1985, with new entrances placed west of Prospect Street.[4][5] The row of arches and columns between the tracks was not extended when the station was lengthened, making the extensions visually distinct from the original station area.

Notice to proceed on replacement of the inbound elevator was given in June 2017.[6] The elevator was closed on April 9, 2018; due to issues with conduits and a standpipe, completion was delayed by a year to early 2020.[7][8] The MBTA also plans to add two additional elevators to the station, and to replace the outbound elevator. As of November 2019, design is expected to be complete in mid-2020.[6]

Bus connections
Route 1 buses at Central station

Central is a major transfer station, with six MBTA Bus routes running from the station to various parts of Cambridge, Somerville, Allston, and Boston.

References
  1. "Ridership and Service Statistics" (PDF) (14th ed.). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. 2014.
  2. Moskowitz, Eric (18 November 2012). "Starts and Stops: MBTA receives first of long-delayed rail cars". Boston Globe. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
  3. Belcher, Jonathan. "Changes to Transit Service in the MBTA district" (PDF). NETransit.
  4. Cambridge Community Development Department (2013). "Central Square: Final Report". p. 21. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  5. Sanborn, George M. (1992). A Chronicle of the Boston Transit System. Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority – via MIT.
  6. Brelsford, Laura (November 26, 2019). "SWA Initiatives—November 2019" (PDF). p. 10-12.
  7. Dwyer, Dialynn (May 7, 2019). "Erin Murphy commutes 3 stops on the Red Line. Because an elevator is closed, it takes her 'close to an hour.'". Boston Globe.
  8. Connolly, Mike. "Update on the Central Inbound Elevator".
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