Many Concord Academy day students who live close to the Commuter Rail take the train to school. The Fitchburg Line, stretching from North Station all the way to Wachusett, conveniently stops in Concord, just a five-minute walk from CA. While navigating the Fitchburg Line is relatively straightforward, it is important to understand the basics of riding on the MBTA to ensure a safe, stress-free commute to school. This article will outline the four main things new CA students should know about taking the Commuter Rail.
Firstly, the Fitchburg Line runs in two different directions: inbound and outbound. Inbound trains travel in the direction of Boston (to North Station), whereas outbound trains travel away from it. Inbound and outbound trains always board from different platforms; however, it is important to check the platform signs, as sometimes inbound trains might arrive on the outbound track (or vice versa).
Secondly, most “train kids” board the outbound train to arrive at Concord. On days when school starts at 8:30 am, students take the 407 Train and arrive at CA around 8:20 am. On late starts, students can still take the 407 Train or, if they want to sleep in, the 409 Train that departs an hour later. It is important to note that the 409 Train will occasionally run late, which can result in students missing the beginning of Chapel. However, if they communicate clearly with the attendance takers that they were late due to the train, “train kids” will not receive a cut.
Thirdly, all CA students are eligible to receive a 50 percent discount on their Commuter Rail tickets. When buying tickets in person on the train, be sure to show a crew member your CA student ID card to claim your discount. When purchasing tickets online, look for an option to use your student discount. Oftentimes, CA train kids will have an M7 card, in which case they can claim an additional discount by showing that card as well as their student ID.
Finally, while the MBTA posts its train schedule on its website, many CA students prefer to use apps for real-time tracking. Students often use ProximiT—one of the most popular apps for public transportation in Boston—to track the train, and mTicket to view the train schedule and purchase their tickets.