Accessibility at Back Bay Station & Pru Mall

[Kusuguru Usagi]

Hello. I'm going to be coming to AB this year by way of the Commuter Rail. I know, of course, to get off at Back Bay Station. I have a question about the station: is there an elevator to get to the upper level after getting off the train? I ask because, where I will have a suitcase w/me, it will be difficult for me to use an escalator or stairs, as I have a physical disability. I am able to walk, but I have a brace on one leg and can't use my right arm/hand very well.

I also have one question RE walking through the Pru Mall which I can't remember offhand: when you first enter the mall after walking across the street from the train station, are there stairs/escalators when you first walk in, or is there an elevator as well? If there are only stairs or escalators, I figured I would just take a quick taxi ride over to the Sheraton. I'm really not sure how well I'd do walking w/my suitcase, actually, so I figured I'd have that option with taking a taxi over.

Thanks in advance. ^_^ ^_^

[Kalyoth]

I can't speak about Back Bay as I have only used the station once. I can speak about Prudential station on green line though.

I take the commuter rail into South Station on my way to the con. I end up taking the red line to park street & hop on the green line to Prudential Station. I remember that station you can take an elevator up from platform to the exit. Then you walk up 1 escalator to the ground floor of the Pru Mall. Go up on escalator, walking through the mall a ways & arriving at the Hynes, Sheraton etc.

It all depends upon how far you can comfortably walk with your suitcase & your access needs.

[aznman08]

I know off the top of my head that the Providence/Stoughton/Needham/Franklin lines have elevator access on tracks 1-3. I think the Worcester line (track 5 and 7) has access but don't quote me on that. Currently the entrance to Copley Place Mall across from Back Bay station is under renovation, and has been routed 1 block to the Stuart St entrance (underneath the Copley Place - Westin Hotel bridge). This entrance has an accessible entry as well as elevator access to the main mall levels.

I recommend looking at the mbta alerts page as the Back Bay - Copley Place underpass is closed as a result: http://www.mbta.com/rider_tools/transit ... nklin+Line

[Kusuguru Usagi]

Thank you both for the replies, Kalyoth and aznman08.

I will be taking the Providence/Stoughton line in. Also, thank you for the link, aznman, I'll check that out.

[Aurabolt]

Hello.

I actually would reccommend taking the #39 Bus from Back Bay Station 2 stops to the Prudential Center's Huntington Ave. Entrance (1st stop after Back Bay is Copley Square).

Here's a map:



The bus will drop you off across the street from the Huntingtom Ave. & Belvidere St. Entrance where the Prudential Center Green Line Entrance is located. Once you get off the bus, you just cross the street and go inside. There are elevators and escalators at this entrance also. This way you don't have detour around the construction at Copley Place. I reccommend this with your mobility challenges in mind.

Getting back to Back Bay station is just as easy: There is a a bus stop at the corner of Dalton and Boylston St. and another on Boylston St. next to the Boston Public Library.

[Kusuguru Usagi]

Hi Aurabolt, thank you for the info about the busses, I will consider using it. It's funny, there was one year when AB was held in May. I came into Boston the day before the con, I planned to go to the Science Museum. I ALMOST had to take a bus from the Pru to the Museum because the T wasn't running. I was unfamiliar with what bus to take, etc., so I figured I'd wait a bit. They did get the T back up & running not long afterwards, so I ended up using the T.

[waynoinsano]

MBTA has a great website for figuring out trips.

http://www.mbta.com/rider_tools/trip_pl ... 0.50&Atr=Y

[Fetch]

I know off the top of my head that the Providence/Stoughton/Needham/Franklin lines have elevator access on tracks 1-3. I think the Worcester line (track 5 and 7) has access but don't quote me on that. Currently the entrance to Copley Place Mall across from Back Bay station is under renovation, and has been routed 1 block to the Stuart St entrance (underneath the Copley Place - Westin Hotel bridge). This entrance has an accessible entry as well as elevator access to the main mall levels.

I recommend looking at the mbta alerts page as the Back Bay - Copley Place underpass is closed as a result: http://www.mbta.com/rider_tools/transit ... nklin+Line

So you don't have to click that link:
Due to the Simon Company's Copley Place construction, Back Bay Station's Dartmouth Street underpass will remain closed until April 8, 2017.

[Kusuguru Usagi]

I know off the top of my head that the Providence/Stoughton/Needham/Franklin lines have elevator access on tracks 1-3. I think the Worcester line (track 5 and 7) has access but don't quote me on that. Currently the entrance to Copley Place Mall across from Back Bay station is under renovation, and has been routed 1 block to the Stuart St entrance (underneath the Copley Place - Westin Hotel bridge). This entrance has an accessible entry as well as elevator access to the main mall levels.

I recommend looking at the mbta alerts page as the Back Bay - Copley Place underpass is closed as a result: http://www.mbta.com/rider_tools/transit ... nklin+Line

So you don't have to click that link:
Due to the Simon Company's Copley Place construction, Back Bay Station's Dartmouth Street underpass will remain closed until April 8, 2017.

So it's a pass on the underpass.

Also, waynoinsano, thank you for the trip planner link.

Again, I appreciate everyone's responses. *gives thumbs up*