According to “Station Area Planning – how to make great Transit-Oriented Places” by Reconnecting America and the Center for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), the core part of the city of Boston falls into the category of Regional Center, which is “a primary center of economic and cultural activity of the region”. This part of the city includes some of the favorite attractions of Boston such as the Freedom Trail, Quincy Market, as well as the Boston South Station. Boston South Station and the surrounding area offer a wide range of public transportation: primary transit (high-speed rail, regular rail), secondary transit (subway system) and feeder transit (bus system as well as the Silver Line connecting the airport to other means of public transportation), connected through Boston South Station as the main transit station. The station is located in the center of the whole area, within walking distance to the most attractions in the city.
The design of the station is very modern. Fast food and other services are offered around the main hall. The station was designed to maximize the open space, giving passengers the feeling that we had in Grand Central Terminal. The main hall is very large, but we did not get confused to navigate while being there, even though parts of it are being reconstructed. The pathway led us directly to the transit system (train station). The instruction in the station was very clear and easy to use (even for people from Southern California or the West Coast in general - who are not at all familiar with secondary public transit). The pathway is wide and convenient to walk on. Different from the Penn Station in New York City, the train stop in Boston South Station is located outside, giving a more comfortable experience to the passengers. Bike service is also offered outside of the station.
A User Perspective
21 South Station Architecture
A primary center of economic and cultural activity of the region
"
"
SOuth Station Architecture Project Prjoect
Photo 1: Exterior of South Station.