Early Transportation:

The Stagecoach and the Omnibus

The earliest form of public transportation in Boston dates back to 1793. That is when a stagecoach line was developed which ran between Boston and Cambridge over the west Boston bridge. Other stagecoach lines were established over the next fifty years (Clark 7). However, these vehicles were suited better for longer journeys, not the stop to stop type of transportation needed in the city. Also, they were rather expensive for an average person to pay. So in the mid 1820's a new form of transportation emerged.

Horses also drew the omnibus, but the vehicle was longer than the stagecoach. It was shaped differently on the inside to allow it to carry more people. The seats went lengthwise along the sides rather than cross seating between the sides. There were doors in the front and rear rather than on the sides (Clark 7). These changes were made to create more room inside so the coach could carry more people. Most importantly, the omnibus followed local routes in the city with frequent stops. It was better suited to travel within the city and carried more people than the stagecoach.

The omnibus became a popular mode of transportation in Boston. They created a service that ran hourly, and the omnibus became known as "The Hourly." The fare was ten cents one way. It was so popular that ridership grew quickly as the city began to grow. Trips had to be increased to every half-hour. The routes spread out all over the city, and by 1849 there were 22 different routes in the Boston area (Clark 7).

However, there were advancements to be made. The railroad industry used horse drawn carts that ran on rails for mining. It became clear that a carriage on rails could haul passengers more smoothly in Boston's rough streets and dirt roads. This lead to the development of the horsecar. It was first used in New York City in 1832, but not in Boston until 1856.

Click here for a picture of the omnibus