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Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

A MBTA worker inspects a redline subway car in the Park Street Station on March 21, 2023. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff, File)

Red Line riders left frustrated and lost after final shutdowns to improve tracks

By Madalyn Jimiera, Beacon Correspondent / December 4, 2024

The MBTA’s Red Line is now free of slow zones for the first time in at least 20 years after the final shutdown of areas from Nov. 17 through Nov. 23,...

People waiting on a redline subway car in the Park Street Station on March 21, 2023. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff, File)

Hope for late-night MBTA service grows as general manager hints at possible expansion

By Yogev Toby, Staff Writer / October 2, 2024
A recent comment from MBTA’s general manager about adding late-night service left Bostonians hopeful for a public transit reform. 
Passengers on the Green Line.

MBTA’s Board of Directors addresses infrastructure issues in public meeting

By Ethan Cotler / September 29, 2022

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Board of Directors held a virtual public meeting on Thursday—its first since late August—which covered...

The Orange Line will be closed until Sept. 18 for safety repairs.

Orange Line faces month-long shutdown

By Frankie Rowley / August 20, 2022

Emerson’s Campus Life Office shared alternative travel resources and on-campus spaces available to off-campus students in light of city-wide MBTA shutdowns...

Boston Fire Department engines outside Boylston Street station

Boylston Station evacuated by fire

By Camilo Fonseca / February 5, 2022

A fire broke out on a Green Line train on Saturday evening, resulting in the evacuation of Boylston Street station and bringing first responders to the...

New Green Line stations make off-campus commutes faster—though just barely

New Green Line stations make off-campus commutes faster—though just barely

By Gabel Strickland, Beacon Correspondent / November 18, 2021

The MBTA opened two new Green Line stations on Monday, shaking up the commutes for scores of off-campus college students traveling to and from Emerson...

Michelle Wu greets supporters after winning the mayoral election on Nov. 2.

Wu sworn in as mayor, pushes widespread reform

By Abigail Lee, Beacon Correspondent / November 18, 2021

Michelle Wu was sworn in as mayor Tuesday, ushering in a new era for the city of Boston as the former city councilor became the city’s first woman and...

An Emerson College advertisement at Downtown Crossing station.

Graduate program pushes T advertising campaign

By Henrique Rocha, Beacon Correspondent / November 11, 2021

Boston commuters have seen an unfamiliar sight at MBTA stations over the past weeks: screens of blue, green, and white advertising Emerson’s graduate...

Michelle Wu addresses an MBTA meeting in February 2019

Days before election, Wu tells students to get involved

By Vivi Smilgius / October 31, 2021

City Councilor at Large Michelle Wu outlined what a Wu mayoralty would look like and urged the younger population to participate in the upcoming Nov. 2...

MBTA to cut services after midnight, layoff employees amid pandemic losses

MBTA to cut services after midnight, layoff employees amid pandemic losses

By Chris Lisinski, State House News Service / November 9, 2020

All weekend commuter rail service, 25 bus routes, ferry service, any rapid transit after midnight, and far more would be eliminated next year under a package...

An ECPD patrol vehicle.

Incident Journal: Students followed on MBTA

October 28, 2020

The Emerson College Police Department provides the Incident Journal to The Beacon every week. Beacon staff edit the Incident Journal for style and clarity,...

The Orange Line will be closed until Sept. 18 for safety repairs.

Significant delays forecast for new Orange, Red Line fleets

By Chris Lisinski, State House News Service / October 5, 2020

The long-awaited transformation of commuting on the Red Line or the Orange Line will require an even longer wait. MBTA officials announced Monday that...

Students moving out of their dorms in March 2020

COVID-19 at Emerson: The Story So Far

By Dana Gerber / March 17, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has left little of Emerson College unscathed as the quickly growing public health crisis ignites action from national, state, and...

Moses Shumow was loved by his students and colleagues, a former student of his said. Courtesy of Florida International University

Former students recall professor’s kindness

By Parker Purifoy / October 23, 2019

Updated 10/24/19: This article was updated to include information about a memorial service for Shumow Florida International University senior Bianca...

Chief of the Green Line Transformation project Angel Pena lays out construction plan. Jakob Menendez / Beacon Staff

MBTA announces five-year plan to increase capacity of Green Line stations

By Faith Bugenhagen / September 11, 2019

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority outlined a five-year plan to renovate the Green Line during their community meeting on Tuesday. Part...

The MBTA construction is part of an $8 billion, five-year plan to modernize the trains. Jakob Menendez/Beacon Staff

MBTA shutdowns to affect ridership on weekends

By Parker Purifoy / September 4, 2019

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority scheduled widespread closures of sections of the T on weekends, starting in mid-September and finishing...

Emerson College commuters can expect regular Blue Line service Monday morning. Courtesy of the MBTA.

MBTA to resume Blue Line service Monday morning

By Chris Van Buskirk / March 17, 2019

The MBTA plans to resume Blue Line service for morning commuters on March 18 after suspending service between the Logan Airport and Wonderland stops for...

Residents return to Orient Heights after toxic 9-alarm fire

Residents return to Orient Heights after toxic 9-alarm fire

By Chris Van Buskirk / March 16, 2019

Residents returned to the Orient Heights neighborhood in East Boston late Friday night after a massive nine-alarm fire carried smoke and toxic fumes over...

Michelle Wu addresses an MBTA meeting in February 2019

Emerson to work with MBTA for a cheaper semester pass

By Tomas Gonzalez / February 28, 2019

The college plans to work with the MBTA to create an exclusive, discounted semester pass for fall 2019 following a proposed fare increase on Jan. 21 for...

Morgan Wright helped create and act in the MBTA films

MBTA stations screen student commercials

By Cassandre Coyer / September 12, 2018

Instead of the dirty walls of subway stations, students and Bostonians can now watch educational content created by Emerson students. Last September,...