Butler station (MBTA)
| Industry | Public transportation |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1931 |
| Headquarters | Boston, Massachusetts , United States |
| Products | Light rail transit services |
Butler station is a light rail stop situated in Boston, Massachusetts, operating on the MBTA Mattapan Line. Positioned on Butler Street within Dorchester's Lower Mills neighborhood, it caters to a modest residential district bordered by the Neponset River, Cedar Grove Cemetery, and Dorchester Park. The station lacks any MBTA bus connections and is accessible via a wooden mini-high ramp located on its single island platform.
Old Colony branches
The Dorchester and Milton Branch Railroad commenced service from Neponset to in December 1847 and was subsequently leased by the Old Colony Railroad as its Milton branch. In December 1872, the Old Colony constructed the Shawmut Branch Railroad extending from Harrison Square to Milton Lower Mills, linking just east of Butler. During the 1870s, the Butler Street vicinity remained largely undeveloped but experienced growth by the late 1880s. The Old Colony Railroad was absorbed into the New Haven Railroad system in 1893. Despite no passenger station being established at Butler Street due to its close proximity to Milton, a freight house serving Milton was present at the Butler Street crossing by the 1910s.
Trolley conversion and Butler station
Passenger train operations on the Shawmut Branch ceased on September 6, 1926, allowing the Boston Elevated Railway to proceed with constructing its rapid transit Dorchester Extension reaching Ashmont. Early in 1929, work began on a high-speed trolley route from Ashmont to Mattapan, which opened up to Milton on August 26, 1929. This trolley line ran adjacent to the Milton branch tracks, replacing commuter rail service despite opposition from local residents. The entire trolley route extending to Mattapan commenced service on December 21, 1929.
In 1930, the Boston Transit Department authorized an infill stop at Butler Street with a budget of $13,695 to serve the nearby community. The Butler Street station officially opened on October 7, 1931. Notably, it featured a single central island platform because freight service continued on the Milton branch tracks flanking either side of the trolley line. A footbridge spanned both freight and trolley tracks, providing access to a canopy-covered platform. The freight house remained operational under New Haven Railroad management.
A parking area north of Butler was introduced in 1951; starting November 2, 1953, the MTA implemented parking fees at its stations including Butler. During the early 1980s renovation, the pedestrian bridge was removed and replaced by a grade-level crossing for platform entry; small side platforms were added along with an awkward gable roof situated over the original canopy supports.
The MBTA suspended service on June 24, 2006, to build a new viaduct at Ashmont station. Throughout this shutdown, all stations except Valley Road underwent modernization and were upgraded for accessibility. At Butler station, new platform structures and canopies were installed along with a wooden ramp for improved accessibility. Trolley operations resumed on December 22, 2007.
Looking ahead, the MBTA intends to upgrade the line with modern light rail vehicles featuring raised platforms for level boarding. In 2023, construction expenses for Butler station improvements were projected at $9.5 million.