Bay State Street Railway
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Predecessor | Boston and Northern Street Railway, Old Colony Street Railway |
| Defunct | January 15, 1919 |
| Fate | Taken over by Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway Company |
| Headquarters | Boston , United States |
Area served | Boston, Massachusetts; Rhode Island; New Hampshire |
The Bay State Street Railway Company operated horse-drawn and electric streetcars, providing transit services in Boston, Massachusetts, as well as neighboring areas reaching into Rhode Island and New Hampshire. This company was eventually replaced by the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway, which later transitioned into the state-operated Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA).
History
The formation of Bay State stemmed from the consolidation of the Boston and Northern Street Railway, serving the northern Boston region, and the Old Colony Street Railway, covering the southern Boston area. On December 12, 1917, the company entered receivership, and subsequently, on January 15, 1919, it was taken over by the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway Company.
Old Colony Street Railway Company
Originally established as the Brockton Street Railway Company on July 5, 1881, this entity was rebranded as Old Colony on February 7, 1901.
Boston and Northern Street Railroad Company
The company was first chartered on April 6, 1859, under the name Lynn and Boston Railroad Company (L&B). It adopted the name Boston and Northern Street Railway Company (B&N) on July 23, 1901.
Divisions
Bay State managed a total of sixteen divisions spread throughout its northern and southern operational zones:
- NORTH