Salem Commuter Rail Depot

The new garage is complete now, and the design makes no sense. For example, they’re now building an extension of the platform beyond the length of the garage, despite the fact that the platform in front of the garage is already about the length of a train, and there’s already not enough conductors to open the doors on all the cars. On top of that, the large indoor waiting area they built is on the other extreme end of the platform, so I guess if you’re waiting for a train there to avoid sun and rain, you’ll have to walk farther to the train when it arrives (assuming they start actually using the new part of the platform). I foresee delays in the future related to this issue. They should have switched the pick-​up area and garage entry area and put the waiting room in the middle.
Other issues: $ 5 per day to park is excessive when a zone 3 pass is already over $ 200 per month, so no doubt people will avoid parking there and the garage will be under-​utilized. I live just over a mile away so the decision to walk/​bike was made easier by this parking fee. There’s a bike cage that I’ve never used because I can bring my folding bike on the train, and the one biking issue I’ve found is that there’s no bike lanes towards the garage entry side of the platform (the middle of the platform where the trains arrive), only bike lanes toward the bike cage on the extreme end, near the also poorly placed indoor waiting area.
The extended part of the platform looks nice with the new landscaping, and even has a couple of roof-​protected spots to wait under (though probably not enough area under these to accommodate everyone), so that will be nice, assuming the trains start pulling up to this area. The part of the platform with seating all along the outside of the garage could have used some sort of awning for protection from the elements, but of course they couldn’t be bothered to design the the platform with that kind of functionality in mind.
Furthermore, they should have coordinated with the city to have the main exit road have an extra right hand only turning lane so that traffic doesn’t get backed up coming out of the garage by people waiting to turn left at that poorly timed light. They should have also coordinated with the owners of the freight railroad tracks to properly pave the area between the sidewalk on the access road and the small but heavily-​used footpath that goes up to North Street.
All in all, a lot of money was spent building a new garage and platform, but it’s yet to be seen if it really benefits anyone apart from a few handicapped people who now have a ramp, or the extra tourists who visit Salem on the few days around Halloween. Luckily, the MBTA and Keolis are loaded with cash.

A truly excellent and clean place to wait
For s train ride north or south. There are a limited amount of shelters on the parking lot and alongside the single set of tracks. The conductors are alway trying to be helpful and friendly. ;).
for

As the station is now under construction for a parking garage, using Salem Depot for commuter rail travel requires a hike from surrounding temporary parking areas outside the station. Be prepared to walk ¼ mile or more to park or have someone drop you off at the one tiny drop-​off point area where you can trudge to the platform.
When the dust settles, hopefully the new garage and layout, albeit minimalist, will be an improvement over the earlier station!

This depot looks like where the collective dreams, souls, & possibly citizens of Salem go to die. From the moment you start your descent down the rickety, rusted stairs to the unattended platform & parking lot, decorated with some of Salem’s finest, you may begin to wonder if this was one of your less intelligent ideas.
This place is a dump. Dimly lit at night, cold & windy due to it’s location along the river, no ticket kiosk, & you have a better chance of being struck by lightening than finding a parking spot.
I’m grateful to be able to walk down the street from my place & jump on the train, but for the price of tickets now, I shouldn’t have to wonder if I’m going to get shanked while I wait. I imagine MBTA & Salem could put their heads together & make the whole experience a little less sketchy & a little more pleasant for everyone.

Catherine G.‘s review is on point. Many of the North Shore Commuter Rail Depots are similarly set-​up, however, this is one where I’m a bit worried about crime, both personal and property, especially after dark. It’s isolated, and I do not like to be alone there. I’m lucky that I rarely need to take the commuter rail (which is ridiculously expensive as well).