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I’m sure everyone has tricks for optimizing their commute to work or wherever.  For example there are specific lanes I drive in at specific spots on Rt. 128 because I think I progress faster when I do that.  The reality may be otherwise but it’s still entertaining and almost like a game.  Here are some things I try while riding the “T” and Commuter rail (Boston’s glorious public train and subway system) from Anderson/Woburn stop to Kendall Square in Cambridge:

1. Let’s start off with buying a monthly parking and T pass.  This always saves time.  You don’t have to wait in line to buy tickets and if you’re “cutting it close” to minimize your commute time you can park quickly and hop right on the train.
2. Now that you have a parking pass park strategically.  I try to park near the stairs away from the actual station.  There’s usually fewer cars there and it’s quicker to get on the platform.
3. When headed inbound to Boston sit in the bogey closest towards the in-direction.  It’s a lot quicker to get out of North station as you don’t have to wade through all the crowds on the way out.  Mind you you’re trying to maximize time here.  You just walked the entire length of the train earlier to get to the first bogey!
4. Try grab a seat as close to the train door as possible.  Once again you can exit the train faster.  Ideally you have an aisle seat as well so that rude people (or should I say desperate to get to work quick folks) don’t cause you to be stuck in your seat for a bit kinda like on an airplane.
5. Try getting up from your seat and standing near the coach doors a few minutes before the train has reached the stop.  If you didn’t get a well-placed seat earlier you can make up time by doing this.
6. Get in the walking line on the escalator.  Usually folks on the right stand and use escalation to take them to the top.  The left lane is for impatient people like me who use the escalator as stairs.
7. Speaking of stairs just use them.   Everyone in the world is trying to squeeze down the narrow escalator to get into the subway.  The stairs are faster and broader, plus you’re headed down.  It’s not that hard.  Be warned sometimes you run into oncoming pedestrian traffic!
8. Find a strategic spot on the subway platform so when a T train stops you’re right in front of a door.  Even better the particular bogey of the T stops closest to the exit on your destination stop.  I always stood near this indent in the wall on the Orange line (one the way home).  It would drop me off closest to the escalator to bound up to North station.  I learned this from Shyam, thanks dude!
9. Now that you’re on the T, find a seat right next to the door.  Most of the time these are reserved for the elderly or disabled.  So you’re better of finding a place to stand that is very close to the door but still not in the way of people trying to get on or off the train.  God help you!  Sometimes a spot near the opposite door is ideal because it’s right across from the exit door and you’re rarely in anyone’s way.  But watch out for Park Street cause the doors open on both sides there.
10. Last but not least you’re probably timed your trains so that you have to wait the least amount of time when switching from the commuter rail to the subway train and of course between subway trains.  I had to switch from Orange to Red to get to Kendall.  Later on I found that Commuter rail to the Green T line was faster, but I had to walk 10-12 blocks to get to work from Lechmere!

So net net how much time did this save me?  Absolutely none.  I could try and time it as precisely as possible and be as efficient getting from door to door.  But the commuter rail is often behind and the T is awfully slow at specific spots (like in between Charles MGH and Kendall — I could walk faster).  With the Red Sox playing 18X games a year, there’s bound to be times when the T is so crowded you’d rather walk all the way home and then there’s often break downs and medical emergencies.  If you miss your train home late in the day you’re probably waiting an hour to get the next one.

So what do I do now?  I drive to work.  Of course I time it and plan it as much as I do my public transport commute but then again if the ride is bad, I have my radio that I blast Ludicras’ “Move bitch”, or I can yack on my mobile phone without harrassing anyone.  And there’s always my BB to give me company.  Remember hands free people!

Have fun!