4.2 min readBy Published On: June 13th, 2019Categories: News0 Comments on Red Line Blues – Third Straight Day of MBTA Misery

Thursday was a sad morning for Red Line travelers. It was raining. The Bruins lost the Stanley Cup in Game 7 and there were delays again on the Red Line.

To refresh your memory (wink, wink) we started off the week with the Red Line derailment on Tuesday morning, then MBTA announced a 3-hour partial shutdown of the Red Line – North Quincy and JFK/UMass stations – on Wednesday to try and fix the damage.

Then the heart-felt apology via twitter from the MBTA:
During the derailment, the train struck multiple signal bungalows outside of JFK/UMass. These are the sheds that house the hardware that controls our signal system.

Without the signal system, trains must be given permission from our Operations Control Center to move from one station to the next, one train at a time. This also means we need people along the tracks to physically set the routes to direct trains.

This failure prevents clear communication to train tracking, GPS apps, and countdown clocks. To avoid inaccurate predictions, we’ve turned off the countdown clocks across the Red Line.
Looking ahead, bungalows will need to be rebuilt, new signals & cables installed, tracks repaired. At this time, we can’t say how long that will take.

For now, trains will continue to travel at slower speeds. We ask customers to allow extra time & use all available services.

We know this is a big ask. We sincerely appreciate all our riders’ understanding and patience while crews work around the clock to fix this. We promise to keep updating you as more info becomes available.

The MBTA has set up a special website to keep commuters informed. You can check it out here.

MBTA Announces Red Line Schedule Reminders and Repair & Recovery Updates

Braintree branch customers will continue to change trains at JFK/UMass.

Supplemental Commuter Rail trains will operate this evening and during tomorrow’s AM and PM commute between South Station, JFK/UMass, Quincy Center, and Braintree.

Braintree branch customers will continue to change trains at JFK/UMass.

Supplemental Commuter Rail trains will operate this evening and during tomorrow’s AM and PM commute between South Station, JFK/UMass, Quincy Center, and Braintree. 

Repair and Recovery Update

MBTA crews are making progress to repair damaged track, third rail, signals, switches, and bungalows on impacted portions of the Red Line. This includes the following repairs and updates:

All damaged third rail has been repaired and replaced with all track damage also repaired.

Progress has been made to repair wires and cables in the JFK/UMass area

During the derailment, heavy damage was sustained in a specific switch and signals area at JFK/UMass where the Ashmont and Braintree branches diverge on the Red Line. Work continues in this area by the MBTA’s Power, Signal, and Track Departments and every effort is being made to expedite the work as safely as possible.

Once certain repairs are complete to specific switching and the affected signal area, the MBTA will begin to test the switch over the weekend, including the operation of test trains.

Additional power and signal work is continuing.

The MBTA will provide a schedule update on Sunday regarding resumption of Braintree branch service resuming through JFK/UMass.

Red Line Schedule Reminder:

Braintree branch customers need to change trains at JFK/UMass for continuing Red Line service.

Ashmont branch customers do not need to switch trains at JFK/UMass.

Customers should plan an additional 20 minutes of commuting time.

Braintree branch customers can continue to take the Middleborough/Lakeville, Kingston/Plymouth, or Greenbush Commuter Rail Lines (note: Greenbush stops at JFK/UMass and Quincy Center, but not Braintree). Customers can show their CharlieCards or CharlieTickets for Commuter Rail service.

Ashmont branch customers can take the Fairmount Line. Red Line customers can also take the Fitchburg Line from Porter Square to North Station. Customers can show their CharlieCards or CharlieTickets for Commuter Rail service.

Commuter Rail Update for Tonight and Friday:

The Commuter Rail will operate supplemental service this evening as well as Friday morning and evening between South Station, JFK/UMass, Quincy Center, and Braintree.

If a customer’s origin or destination station is any of these four stations, it is strongly encouraged to use this supplemental Commuter Rail service, which provides a direct, one-seat ride for the same cost as subway fare.

Passengers should show their CharlieCards or CharlieTickets in order to board:

Supplemental Evening Outbound Service Today and Friday, June 14:

 

Station

 

Extra Train:

Extra Train:

Extra Train:

South Station

 

4:30 PM

6:00 PM

7:20 PM

JFK / UMass

 

4:36 PM

6:10 PM

7:30 PM

Quincy Center

 

4:50 PM

6:20 PM

7:37 PM

Braintree

 

4:56 PM

6:30 PM

7:45 PM

Supplemental Morning Inbound Service on Friday, June 14:

 

Station

Extra Train
Departs:

Extra Train
Departs:

Extra Train
Departs:

Braintree

6:20 AM

8:00 AM

9:30 AM

Quincy Center

6:30 AM

8:10 AM

9:37 AM

JFK/UMass

6:50 AM

8:20 AM

9:45 AM

South Station

7:00 AM

8:30 AM

9:55 AM

 

Doesn’t seem like this is going to be a quick turnaround to get the Red Line up and running smoothly. So check the new MBTA website for updates, plan accordingly, and take a deep breath. Happy Travels.

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