Underground Trolleybuses in Boston | The MBTA Silver Line | FREE from Logan Airport to South Station

On Wednesday, I told you that I would take you to a bus rapid transit line that I was impressed with. The Silver Line in Boston certainly has a lot going for it. The underground transitway used by routes SL1, 2, and 3, makes the line feel like part of the subway system. Frequencies are high, and the buses switch from diesel power to electric wires, which I think is really cool.
However, many people are dissatisfied with the Silver Line. The line speed is very slow, and there are a number of other flaws that plague the system.
Join us as we ride the FREE route SL1 from the Airport to Boston South Station, and as we navigate the tricky business of just what makes a good BRT.
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[@stevenroshni1228]

No worries, the Silver line to Red line transfer is free. Boston has fare gates and not a proof of purchase method. I think it's a really nice touch for visitors to not have to figure out the payment system at the airport.

[@Thom-TRA]

Yeah, that is a really nice touch! I know my way around a ticket machine pretty well but it’s nice to not have that feeling of having to figure out something new, while you’re holding onto your stuff, and seeing your train/bus leave in front of you.

[@ydnality]

I think it used to not be free, during the first year. They probably got feedback on that really quickly though and made the adjustment!

[@Dvy383]

Fare payment at Logan Airport simply wasn’t feasible with people trying to manage luggage. Combined with a high percentage of passengers unfamiliar with the payment system, airport loading stops could take minutes. After a few years of Silver Line congestion on the airport loop, Massport simply decided to pay passengers fares outbound from Logan.

[@markstocker5121]

Seattle's Downtown Transit Tunnel used to run hybrid trolley buses. With the completion of the Link Light Rail the tunnel runs light rail vehicles only. Seattle runs several electric only trolley bus routes. These are actually better at taking hills than diesel powered buses.

[@flierfy]

The short trip on SL1 is more down to the proximity of the airport to the town centre rather than the efficiency of the service. In fact if it wasn't for the switching between street level and tunnel back and forth and the ridiculous loops this involves, services would be even faster.

[@Thom-TRA]

Still, even if the proximity is super close, you have to admit that 15-20 minutes is a very short time to get from an airport to downtown. So if Boston shouldn’t be praised for the Silver Line, at least it should be lauded for building an airport so close to the city. Because it takes an eternity to take the Blue Line from Chicago to O’Hare, or to make all the transfers from Manhattan to JFK/LaGuardia/EWR.

[@scswp6945]

@@Thom-TRA How frequently do the buses run?

[@dennisforner6090]

Boston is such a beautiful & historic city. I have never come across a hybrid gas & electric bus system before. A great concept as diesel fumes in long tunnels would make the journey both unpleasant as well as unsafe. The new trams (light rails) in Sydney (Australia) have overhead wires for part of the way & then use a middle rail. Wellington (NZ) still uses some electric trolley buses. I did ride Padua's (Italy) unique Tramway (carriages look like a tram but have rubber wheels and a middle track., which opened in 2007. As always Thom an interesting & enjoyable video.

[@amfm889]

Thanks for the brief history of the Silver Line, which barely replaced the old elevated Orange Line. There's a lot of bad blood about the Washington St. "replacement service" that could have been light rail. The T and the city really messed that up, and grudges die hard in Boston. Yes, the airport-to-city connection works reasonably well, but the Silver Line is also supposed to serve the massively expanding Seaport District (Courthouse and Convention Ctr stations), and apparently fails miserably at that. Was the tunnel ride bumpy? Instead of a concrete roadbed, they used interlocking asphalt pavers that break down over time. Maybe they've changed that since I moved away a decade ago--?

[@MattMcIrvin]

Yes, what he's ridden is the one part of the Silver Line that is actually good, and functions as the BRT system that was promised. (And it is kind of remarkable that they spot you a free ride on the whole subway network if you transfer from SL1 at South Station.) The rest of it is badly compromised.

[@pete5668]

I remember them calling the Silver Line the SILVER LIE... because it basically replaced the 49 bus with another bus.

[@robertmcglinchey3347]

There is a fare from Boston to Logan but not vice versa. SL4/5 runs well. SL1/2/3 is crowded and sometimes necessary to wait for another trolley/bus. On the SL1 baggage space is a problem. Yeah, ride all day for free - Silver, Red, Blue, Orange and Green. On “T” busses there might be a transfer fee.

[@mikecollins30]

I spend usually a week or 2 in the Boston area visiting family for Christmas and used to take the Blue line at the airport and make 2 transfers to get to South Station. I love riding the subway so the tranferring I think is fun. But then one day I ddecided to give the Silverline a try and found it was a lot more convenient, time saving and free. There was a 10 minute wait to switch to electric but being a rail fan I thought that was interesting too. It's a much more direct way from the airport to South Station, definitely doing it again.

[@willhazen9507]

Dayton, OH has two Dual-Mode Diesel Trolley Busses (1401-1402) as well, while most of the fleet is Dual Mode Battery Trolley Busses.

[@CelineNoyce]

I take the silver line daily from South Station to courthouse and courthouse to South Station. What seems to happen is the busses get all squished together due to delays. This means at night buses can come to courthouse and be full. And in the mornings you can wait a while for any sliver line train because drivers get off and use the facilities -- putting all the cars together. I am seeing more completely electric buses so I am hoping these problems might get fixed.

[@dave_dave]

Yes I have been on it! You frequently get a burning brake smell on those Silver Lines. I remember it once, i used it coming from the airport and you could smell the rubber.

[@Gustergaming]

We don’t want the silver line, we want the elevated orange line

[@jazrobean1]

Thanks for another EXCELLENT presentation. -

[@DiggerDeeper01]

It was interesting to watch this video. I live in Quincy, and North Quincy on the Red Line is my home station, so watching you give a review of my city was interesting to watch. I've never even been on the silver line because I've never had a reason to get on them. In fact I never even took the blue line until the day I wrote this because I never had a reason to. But I'm glad to see this, and sad you didn't get to ride the blue line. But at least you got to avoid the current speed restrictions we're facing. My mother works for the MBTA and she has informed me (public info) that trains are currently being speed limited due to missing documentation on rail maintenance. The rails must be checked and maintained if they are found to be in poor shape, and until they have done so and checked what the status is, trains are forced to go at low speeds. I've actually had the red line come to complete halts between North Quincy and JFK/Umass only to take off at about 5 mph, before stopping at total random again and again. What should be a quick 5 or 10 minute trip has become 20 or 30 minutes now a days until they finish this mess.

[@CameronLandels]

An interesting video Thom! It looks a fairly reliable network despite a little confusing at times. The UK doesn't have any regular trolleybuses operating. The last trolleybus system to close was in 1972, Bradford, West Yorkshire, Northern England (This was also one of the first 2 systems to open in the UK in 1911)

[@Thom-TRA]

I really enjoyed the Silver Line, I’ll admit I was surprised to hear about all the criticism. The Netherlands still has one trolleybus system, in Arnhem. I believe the US has a few in other cities as well, although it’s not many.

[@danielueblacker9118]

Thom and Lindsey thanks for a great video as always. Miss Bear, hope he is well.

[@Thom-TRA]

Thank you! He is doing great as well. 2 weeks from today, I will be posting my video of Amtrak’s Downeaster to your hometown!

[@Maj275]

In Solingen, Germany we do have Trolley busses with diesel engines and also BOB which stands for “battery overheadwire bus”

[@koabradley]

Awesome video!!!! I’m very impressed! Going to Boston for the first time ever and plan to use this route to hotel. I’m from Honolulu, Hawaii. You were so helpful

[@Thom-TRA]

Sadly the trolleybus service has ended and it’s all battery buses now

[@MuditVerma]

Aloha

[@American_2]

Awesome, I plan on taking this to South Station and take Red Line to Braintree south of Boston then Uber to Cape Cod.

[@Thom-TRA]

There are trains that will take you all the way to Hyannis!

[@ydnality]

Thanks for posting this! Brings back college memories since I went to college in Boston. I remember when the Silver Line first opened, I was so excited! But I was disappointed that it was a bus! But I thought the underground tunnels were cool too, and it was almost like the green line in some aspects. I was disappointed that there were so many stops between South Station and the airport, but I think they’ve greatly improved the timing of that route. I think the first time I took it, the bus driver had trouble engaging the electric power source. Once, I took one of the lines all the way to the end in South Boston, the ones that aren’t underground, and I agree with you, that section is a bit underwhelming. Later, years later I saw the new Seaport neighborhood and felt the Silver Line’s underground stations there made so much sense!

[@ydnality]

I think the bus driver was amused that I was taking the silver line to the end for fun! 😂

[@Thom-TRA]

Glad you enjoyed the video! I really love Boston; hope to visit again soon. Disappointing the SL is a bus, but still, a much better bus than most of them!

[@d.j.el-magnifico3511]

Seattle Metro had dual mode Transit Busses made by Breda and a dedicated Bus Tunnel which has now become an LRT Subway

[@classic287]

Thank you for this video. Now I know how to take the Silver Line from the airport to South Station to catch the Providence train to Mansfield to visit with my son in June 👍😊

[@Thom-TRA]

Have a great trip! It’s a beautiful part of the US

[@himbourbanist]

I really like the look of the Silver Line trolleybuses. MBTA did a good job constructing the supporting infrastructure for the Silver Line too, the station really looked like a subway station like good BRT should.

[@lovelyheiferdev]

Local here, the only thing I wish MBTA considered to make a true BRT was to make doors on both sides of the bus and dedicated lanes on the Mass Pike and at the Airport.

[@HayastAnFedayi]

As a lifelong Bostonian and new englander and total railfan and road geek, the Silver Line as others have noted, is a joke of a line and cheap alternative to true rapid transit that used to exist in the original Orange Line ie the "Washington Street Elevated". The residents in those neighborhoods were screwed imo and they should have never torn the el down or at the very least move it underground so it could have continued to serve the area.

[@amiausUSA]

I rode the silver line as early as late June 2010, and as recently as December 2013. I've been only on SL1, SL2 and SL4. I did not ride SL3 to Chelsea. Past WTC, the SL1, SL2 and SL3 are just like regular ICE busses. The SL4 that I rode on, followed a portion of the previous elevated Orange line. Dudley Square did not seem particularly interesting, but I saw it while I had the chance to do so.

[@Thom-TRA]

Now the SL123 are battery electric all the way

[@gregorylparks7304]

Great Video of Boston! Someday, I might take a trip to Boston.😊

[@Thom-TRA]

You should! It’s a great city

[@qolspony]

Sad isn't it?! Transit users were actually better off with the elevated orange line than today's silver line.

[@Modeltnick]

It’s an effective way to get around in the city! Love riding the T.

[@Thom-TRA]

I loved the T too! Not a popular opinion, but I have to say I had a good experience

[@Modeltnick]

@@Thom-TRA Thanks for your response! I have family in Boston and I just park my car and buy a one week pass for the T. All of the lines have their own personality and they get you anywhere in the city. My personal favorite is the C Branch of the Green Line! Thanks again!

[@GeneralLiuofBoston1911]

This is a great video, and I am glad you were able to see the Silver Line's trolleybuses, but I am sorry to say, that after your trip, the MBTA has since ended dual power trolleybus services since June 30th of 2023. The Silver Line still operates, but it is now only using diesel power.

[@Thom-TRA]

The silver line actually uses battery electric buses now

[@chrisransdell8110]

It's good that you covered the criticisms. I didn't see mention of what is for me the biggest one.. The horrendous ride quality particularly in tunnels. From your video it doesn't appear much, if at all, improved over the last time (and every time) I've ridden it. Head tossing, noisy, feels like a Flintstones vehicle.

[@tonymento7460]

Seattle Washington had a bus way that went underground there coaches were build by Breda it was built with streetcar trains too when it be came a LRV route the Breda coaches were rebuild as a regular trackless trolley coach the Breda were like the Boston coaches they would run as a regular diesel coach then to the overhead wire

[@BenHughes81]

The only Silver Line route I took regularly was the SL2 to get to a prior job at Drydock Ave after coming into South Station on the Commuter Rail. I personally have never had a bad experience, but that should not be a counter argument to those that have.

[@dreamsintheair4108]

Nice Video Thanks..

[@qolspony]

At least DC has an actual Silver line on rail.

[@mrbpdx]

Wonderful video, Thom! Check out Seattle, San Francisco, Toronto and Vancouver, BC for Hybrid buses. I am a big fan of these vehicles.

[@MistyOLR]

I can confirm that from airport to red line is a totally free ride :)

[@Thom-TRA]

Haha thanks! People can be vicious here so I always like to tread lightly when discussing something I’m not entirely sure of. I think free transit from the airport is a great thing that Boston does!

[@Gunships.]

omg this is what i needed lol, i was so worried how will i get to the south station to catch the bus to pittsfield

[@EmilePoelman]

Nice video, Thom! Aren't trolleybusses much better for the environment because they dont need batteries and charging points so they can be relativively cheap, simple and light?

[@Thom-TRA]

I certainly like trolleybuses. I think the Boston model is smart, because it gives buses the freedom to move outside of just the electrified sections. It will be sad to see them go.

[@drakeil]

You should have taken the red line to Cambridge as they too have trolley bus lines called the Cambridge Subway which has a segment with underground stations and a direct transfer to the Red Line.. They may have revamped this service since the last time I used it (1998). I may be able to check it out again as I will be in Boston in late January 2023.

[@Thom-TRA]

The Cambridge trolleybuses are gone! The last ones ran in Spring 2022, just before we went on this trip

[@mr.superguy565]

There is also a hybrid trolleybus in Bergen norway (but that is batteri/trolley)

[@lightplane]

The free transfer to the red line at south station is intentional. SL1 drops you behind the fare barriers.

[@Thom-TRA]

I know I realized that later

[@Anon21486]

As someone who frequently uses the SL3, I can list many of the issues that plagues that particular line. The biggest issue for that line is that yes, the SL3 has to wait for the Chelsea Street Bridge due to Maritime priority (MBTA has went to Washington DC to limit maritime traffic to off peak hours with no success). This actually created 2 issues. Issue one is that in times of peak hours, the SL3 coming from Boston to Chelsea would terminate at Airport Station on the Blue Line and drop off their passengers at said station to wait for a Chelsea bound bus. The second issue is that the SL3 busses on Chelsea's side is stuck until not only the bridge is open again but also until the traffic at the exit from Central Ave Station can clear enough for the bus to go through. Other issues with the SL3 include lack of MBTA kiosk at all Chelsea Stations, no free transfer between SL3 and Airport Station Blue Line (even though it is suppose to), and getting stuck in Ted Williams traffic. The only bright side about the SL3 is that once in Chelsea, there is a dedicated busway with dedicated lights for SL3.

[@Thom-TRA]

It seems like an idea that was only half thought-out…

[@johnkolassa1645]

Thanks for the video. I rode this service 6 or so years ago. I was impressed with the route to the airport, but not by the routes 4 and 5. Buses were conventional diesels, service was slow, and, even though the map makes it look like these are all part of one route, transfer from SL1-3 and SL4-5 was inconvenient. Will the battery buses still use overhead wires to charge the batteries?

[@meltrain]

4:28 Line 683 in Solingen (Deutschland) has two parts where it runs on diesel.

[@Mike-wt7jq]

The choo choo bus 😂😂

[@DDELE7]

The Silver Line is useful and not many cities can say they have free “rapid transit” access to downtown from the Airport. Hell in New York you have to pay an extra 8$ to take the AirTrain to Howard Beach or Jamaica in order to PAY AGAIN to connect to New York City Transit services. Obviously the line could use some improvements. The roads in the Busway tunnels needs to be resurfaced. It’s not as noticeable with the newer fleet of Extended Range Battery operated buses but with the older trolleybuses it was a bouncy ride. And the double back loop to reach the Williams Tunnel from Silver Line Way is annoying. That should be simplified. Maybe one day they’ll build a new portal to unify the SL4/SL5 with the rest of the network.

[@LucasAlmeida-dz5xh]

My dad worked on some of the silver line tunnels

[@Thom-TRA]

Nice! Hope nothing crazy happened

[@kendufresne]

I frequently ride the SL1. I wish it would have its own tunnel all the way to Logan. The traffic in the Ted Williams tunnel between Logan and World Trade Center station can be brutal. I also wish they should hurry up and finish the construction at Courthouse Station.

[@Thom-TRA]

If it was completely separated it would be an absolute powerhouse

[@sewelldel]

Very good video, have you even been on the London Underground to see the trains and the different lines we have ??

[@Thom-TRA]

Over 10 years ago! I need to go back

[@YaoboyProd2K15]

Seattle used to have an underground trolleybus tunnel until 2019.

[@citylover94]

You're supposed to get a free ride with connection to the red line using the silver line.

[@bradfordjhart]

I take SL3 from Chelsea often and the drawbridge is a huge negative. I've been an advocate of using SL3 to connect South Station with North Station, you'll notice that Boston's 2 biggest transit hubs are not directly connected with a single line.

[@Thom-TRA]

I’ve always wondered why North and South aren’t easily connected. The best option would of course be a regional rail tunnel. But if that will ever happen, I doubt it…

[@pilarmora7051]

Thank you for sharing. It will be my first visit to Boston next week, and I will be just for a week. I would appreciate a short guide from Logan Airport to East, exactly heading to Malborough, and I would like to ride the subway and bus all time, so which card to shop for 7 days.

[@Thom-TRA]

I think there is a 7-day Charlie card option. But those won’t cover you all the way to Marlborough.

[@Anon21486]

As a local, I will say that yes, there is a 7 day weekly pass. You can purchase those passes at the kiosk throughout the system... and something the video missed is that the kiosk are also located inside the terminals near the stop. Also, an essential is looking for the Transit app. Subway, busses, etc. are all equipped with GPS and the app works well when trying to find public transit in the area, as well as how long the wait is... One last tip and it is often missed (although the MBTA has been putting new signs lately about it)... if the Charlie ticket has a black stripe, then you will need to insert it into the gates. If the Charlie ticket has a gray stripe, you need to tap it at the gates with the circular tap sensor, not the rectangular sensor. Charlie Cards can be tapped at all gates...

[@Mike-wt7jq]

When a bus and a train have a baby, the Silver line was born!! 😅😅

[@Thom-TRA]

Aww so cute

[@nickleonardo5474]

Thom they built the silver line terminal while they were building the big dig. The highway tunnel is the deepest under south station

[@Thom-TRA]

Interesting, did not know that

[@nickleonardo5474]

@@Thom-TRA yes it is I kinda saw it being built as I used to take the commuter rail and red line when I worked in radio

[@kennethzwirble8070]

Seattle. Prior to switching to light rail around 2010 (estimate).

[@Nakedbilove408]

MBTA silverline got brand new buses to replace trackless trolley buses

[@MuditVerma]

Is the silver line the main one to use to get to South Boston?

[@giseledavis4187]

What time does the SL1 leave the airport? And is it leaving from arrivals terminal?

[@andrewtorres765]

San Francisco has had trackless trolley buses for decades. But I don't think they're hybrid. Buses there are either motorized, or trolley.

[@gethighonlife11]

Good video, Thom. It's interesting that articulated buses in other places (Boston MA, Broward County FL, New York City) have three sets of doors while CTA buses only have 2. Unless they are changing it????

[@Thom-TRA]

Yeah Chicago’s articulated buses are weird in that sense. I wish more people in Chicago would exit from the rear though. It would make boarding smoother.

[@jessejames586]

Does the silver line tunnel still leak like crazy when it rains?

[@tonerduckpin]

City of Tempe has a hybrid trolley system. It uses overhead lines and batteries for propulsion. Overhead lines could not be run in certain areas,. The trains use battery power in those areas.

[@Thom-TRA]

The Tempe Streetcar only just opened very recently right? Would love to go out there and try it out.

[@tonerduckpin]

@@Thom-TRA Here's a short video I shot when it opened in May. link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2a1i5yvq7OdlbM

[@RafaelAjuda]

Ok, i got until the part that you went to the South Station... But, what should i do if from there i'd like to go to Worcester? I didnt get It 😂 Planning my trip to there on June 🇧🇷

[@Thom-TRA]

Follow signs to commuter rail and take the Worcester line!

[@newenglandskier13]

Are there any other BRT systems which operate on an Interstate? I can’t think of any.

[@Thom-TRA]

Actually, so funny you should ask! I’m releasing a video about one this very Saturday!

[@edwardmiessner6502]

Boston's Silver Line was something that looks great on paper but fails in execution. One of the reasons is that the State Police barracks at the exclusive Silver Line busway into the I-90 tunnel won't let the busses use it! So the busses have to go out of their way and use the general purpose ramp. Disgusting. And I'm appalled that they're taking down the overhead wires and running battery busses. They're doing this to the other trackless trolley lines running out of Harvard Square, too. I bet somewhere down the line they'll give up on batteries and switch to all-diesel operations instead. 😠

[@Thom-TRA]

What? Why would the police do that? See, this is why I’m anti-BRT. They’re so much easier to subtly downgrade than a rail line.

[@edwardmiessner6502]

@@Thom-TRA The police have their own reasons meaning they think they're entitled and above the law or at least a lot of them do. While I think BRT has its place such as Curitiba and Bogota, Columbia, it's just not suitable in North America in general since politicians are too cheap and too quick to appease the Karens who drive everywhere!

[@EJmevec]

You need to come to New York to do videos on the subway and commuter trains.

[@Thom-TRA]

I’ve been to New York many times! Hopefully many more in the future

[@stanleyjm84]

Seattle, San Francisco, Philadelphia all use Trolley buses

[@dcarbon2]

In Seattle WA you will find bus like that

[@Thom-TRA]

I’m hoping to travel to Seattle soon!

[@paulgracey4697]

Trolley busses have never failed to disappoint me, including the Silver Line. About the only place where I felt they were a right fit was San Francisco where they could climb those hills better than diesels. But as the electrification of rubber tire transport with batteries progresses even that slight advantage over other busses should go away. The double catenary is problematic and the ride quality inferior to rail.

[@Thom-TRA]

But trolleybuses are infinitely better than battery electric buses for the environment and they tend to have a longer lifespan

[@CustomCreations_]

Hello, great video! Do you know the name of the song at the beginning? Thanks!

[@Thom-TRA]

I don’t hear any song in the beginning?

[@CustomCreations_]

Sorry I just mean the background music that plays from 0:11 - 2:30

[@Thom-TRA]

@@CustomCreations_ it’s called “Subway Dreams”

[@CustomCreations_]

@@Thom-TRA ok thank you so much

[@davidpinckney8868]

Philadelphia have hybrid trolley bus to only in northeast Philadelphia

[@robb38111]

Silver line 1 to and from airport has been very slow and plodding....traffic lights are NOT scheduled for the bus and keep it waiting as does the ridiculous train gate that makes it wait before it goes into the tunnel busway. .... In the tunnel itself it goes very slow also..... it needs to be looked at to increase speed and priority as does the amount of scheduled buses. SL 1 buses are packed when SL2 are mostly empty---surprising that the T doesnt focus on the route to make it a great passenger trip----hopefully the new battery buses will speed it up

[@Thom-TRA]

I think the line has a lot of potential that’s just not being used. I think it would help if the tunnel was a guided busway, too. And perhaps get rid of fares while the service is so bad?

[@patrickscott838]

Don't know why they call it a line? It's a f-ing Bus!

[@jnrfalcon]

You shouldve got the weekly pass for 22.5, and just ignore all the ticketing for the bus and lightrail system...

[@Thom-TRA]

But I was only there for 4 days. Don’t think I spent that much…

[@jnrfalcon]

@@Thom-TRA haha okay

[@urimartinez2135]

@@jnrfalcon Is there a 7day pass for seniors? I did read that the normal pass is $22.50.

[@jnrfalcon]

@@urimartinez2135 I'm a tourist as well. So I don't know...

[@marizolfigueroa3130]

542

[@davidpinckney8868]

Philadelphia

[@danielkelly2210]

Sorry, it's bizarre they spent all that money on tunnels just to run buses in them. Well, it's the US.

[@ValeriaZaragoza692]

The Silver Line is such a rotten joke, I’ve never met anyone that has any kind of use for it. I took it once to get to the seaport and it was just horrible. I have never heard anyone say a positive thing about the Silver Line.

[@bustorobusto6316]

The silver line sucks