Hynes Convention Center (MBTA station)

Infobox Station
name=Hynes Convention Center


image_size=300
image_caption=Platform and train at Hynes Convention Center Station, March 2005
address=100 Massachusetts Avenue at 360 Newbury Street, Downtown Boston
coordinates = coord|42|20|52.1|N|71|5|16.18|W|display=inline,title|type:railwaystation
line=
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platform=2 side platforms
tracks=2
parking=
bicycle=
passengers=
pass_year=
pass_percent=
opened=October 3, 1914
rebuilt=
ADA=
code=
owned=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
zone=
services=

Hynes Convention Center is a stop on the MBTA's Green Line, located at the intersection of Newbury Street and Massachusetts Avenue. It is located at the "artsy" end of Newbury Street: the luxury stores that also reside on Newbury Street are concentrated toward the other end, near the Arlington stop.

This stop was originally named Massachusetts: it was renamed to Auditorium in 1965, and to Hynes Convention Center/ICA in 1990. In November 2006, shortly after the Institute of Contemporary Art relocated from its nearby location on Boylston Street to a new building near the Courthouse station on the waterfront branch of the Silver Line, the letters "ICA" were removed from all signboards in the station, and most Green Line trains now announce that the train is entering Hynes Convention Center. (A few trains still announce the "ICA", but the signage has been changed on both platforms.) There are still some old maps in certain MBTA stations that refer to this station as Auditorium.

Currently, the station entrance closest to the Hynes Convention Center (on Boylston Street) is closed, except on Patriot's Day, to handle the spectators from the Boston Marathon. People wishing to access the Hynes Convention Center or the Prudential Center must exit onto Massachusetts Avenue and walk to Bolyston Street.

Hynes received the new CharlieCard automated fare system in September 2006. The new fare equipment was also installed at the closed-off station entrance, but it is unknown whether or not this entrance will re-open.

Among locals, Hynes and the MBTA bus stop across the street have a reputation for being a magnet for drunks and for having the distinct odor of urine. Efforts were made in the early 2000s to clean up the bus stop and the new cream colored structure replaced the old dingy green one. However, despite the MBTA's best efforts, anyone visiting Hynes after dark is almost certain to encounter the homeless just inside the station's entrance.

Nearby destinations

* Prudential Center (also accessible via the Prudential stop on the E branch of the Green Line or the Back Bay stop on the Orange Line)
* Hynes Convention Center
* Shopping on Newbury Street
* Berklee College of Music
* Boston Conservatory

Bus connections

*MBTABus|CT1 Central Square, Cambridge - B.U. Medical Center/Boston Medical Center via M.I.T. (free transfer)
*MBTABus|1 Harvard/Holyoke Gate - Dudley Station via Mass. Ave. & B.U. Medical Center
*MBTABus|55 Jersey & Queensberry - Copley Sq. or Park & Tremont Sts. via Ipswich St.

Accessibility

This station is not wheelchair accessible.