BOSTON – The MBTA today announced service changes in October on the Red, Orange, Green, Mattapan, Kingston, Middleborough, Greenbush, and Haverhill lines. The MBTA will continue working to improve service reliability across the system.
Accessible shuttle bus service will replace Red Line trains between Broadway and Ashmont Stations on the Ashmont Branch and between Broadway and North Quincy Stations on the Braintree Branch all day from start to end of service during the weekends of September 30-October 1 and October 7-8. This service change allows MBTA crews to perform critical work on the Savin Hill Avenue and Dorchester Avenue bridges, to perform necessary tunnel inspections on the Ashmont Branch, and to accomplish station brightening work at JFK/UMass Station.
The Kingston, Middleborough, and Greenbush Commuter Rail lines, which run adjacent to the Red Line, will also experience service changes. Accessible shuttle bus service will replace trains between South Station and Braintree all day from start to end of service during the weekends of September 30-October 1 and October 7-8. Accessible express shuttle bus service will also operate directly between South Station and Braintree Station. Passengers should note that bicycles are not allowed on shuttle buses, and regular Commuter Rail fares will be collected between Kingston, Middleborough, Greenbush, and Braintree Stations. Keolis Customer Service Agents, MBTA staff, and Transit Ambassadors will be on-site at impacted stations to support riders. The diversion schedule will be available online at mbta.com/CommuterRail.
As previously announced, accessible shuttle bus service will replace Red Line Ashmont Branch and Mattapan Line trains between JFK/UMass and Ashmont Stations and Mattapan Station for 16 days from October 14-29. The track between JFK/UMass and Ashmont Stations and on the Mattapan Line is some of the oldest in the system and is in need of replacement. This diversion will allow crews to replace rail, ties, and ballast to improve reliability and travel times, reduce maintenance needs, and alleviate 28 speed restrictions. The MBTA also plans to maximize these full-access closures by accomplishing station enhancements like painting, power washing, and repairing lighting fixtures; vegetation removal; the removal of tripping hazards; and accessibility improvements.
As previously announced, due to the continued demolition of the Government Center Garage by private developer HYM Construction, Orange and Green Line service changes will take place in the downtown Boston area all day from September 18-October 12:
- Orange Line trains will bypass Haymarket Station. Orange Line riders should instead exit at North Station or State, less than a half-mile from Haymarket (or a four- to eight-minute walk), and travel to the Haymarket area.
- Green Line service will be suspended between North Station and Government Center Station. Riders are instead asked to walk above ground between these stations – Government Center, Haymarket, and North Station are each less than a half mile from each other (about a five- to 10-minute walk). The distance between Government Center and North Station is about three-quarters of a mile (about a 13-minute walk).
- Riders are also reminded that Orange Line / Green Line connections can also be made via the Winter Street Concourse, which connects Park Street and Downtown Crossing Stations.
- Accessibility vans will also be available for on-demand transportation – Orange and Green Line riders should ask MBTA personnel for information and assistance.
As previously announced by MassDOT, MassDOT’s Squires Bridge repair work in Somerville will take place beginning September 18 through October 12. MassDOT will perform repairs on the bridge, which crosses over the Green Line tracks near Union Square Station. As a result, Green Line train service between Lechmere and Union Square Stations will be suspended from September 18-October 12. Green Line riders are encouraged to consider alternative routes, including the 86, 91, and CT2 bus routes between Union Square and East Somerville Station on the Medford Branch. These bus routes also travel to Sullivan Square Station on the Orange Line. In addition, Route 87 travels between Union Square and Lechmere Station.
Maureen Dahill is the editor of Caught in Southie and a lifelong resident of South Boston sometimes mistaken for a yuppie. Co-host of Caught Up, storyteller, lover of red wine and binge watching TV series. Mrs. Peter G. Follow her @MaureenCaught.
