New Time Map of the MBTA: Just How Long Is Your Commute from Back Bay?

If you've ever thought about moving to get a better commute, a new "time map" of the T might help you.

Designer Peter Dunn created a map of what the MBTA subway system would look like if it was plotted by time — not by geography.

For instance, if you're a JP resident catching a Forest Hills train to Back Bay Station to get to work, expect a 15-minute trip.

Here's some of what jumped out at Dunn when he studied his map.

Seeing all schedules in a single map shows that not all Green Line branches are created equal. It takes just as long to get from downtown to Boston College on the B line as it does to get to Riverside on the D line, despite being about half the distance. And even though they’re just a few blocks apart, Chestnut Hill Ave (B line), Cleveland Circle (C line) and Reservoir (D line) are 27, 20, and 14 minutes from Kenmore, respectively.

As Dunn makes clear, the times used are averages — and official ones at that. In practice, trains get delayed, cars go out of service, and trains fill up.

If you want to zoom in to portions of the map, go directly to Dunn's Web site, where you can load a large-size version of the map.