Residents of Boston and surrounding areas who rely on public transportation should prepare for significant service disruptions in the coming weeks. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has announced that all major lines will be affected by temporary suspensions as part of an extensive infrastructure improvement initiative aimed at enhancing safety and reliability.
During a recent MBTA board meeting, General Manager Phillip Eng emphasized that these service interruptions are essential to allow maintenance crews to carry out critical upgrades.
“We recognize that these changes will inconvenience riders, but they are necessary to build a more dependable transit system,” Eng stated, according to Boston 25 News.
Summary of Planned Disruptions:
Red Line – Braintree Branch
Service will be suspended between Braintree and JFK/UMass on the following weekends:
- May 31–June 1
- June 14–15
Accessible, free shuttle buses will be provided to serve all affected stations during the closures.
Orange Line
The Orange Line will experience several phases of suspension:
- May 30–June 1: Full closure between North Station and Forest Hills
- June 21–29:
- Weekends (June 21–22 and June 28–29): closure from North Station to Forest Hills
- Weekdays (June 23–27): partial closure from Back Bay to Forest Hills
Green Line
Starting at 8:00 p.m. on June 4, and continuing through June 8, the following sections will be closed:
- North Station to Babcock Street on the B Branch
- Service to Kenmore on the C and D Branches
- Service to Heath Street on the E Branch
Blue Line
The Blue Line will be shut down between Bowdoin and Orient Heights for nine consecutive days, from June 7–15.
Impact on Boston’s Haitian Community
The Ashmont Branch of the Red Line, which serves several neighborhoods with large Haitian populations, will remain unaffected by these service suspensions. However, disruptions on the Braintree Branch could have indirect consequences for the Ashmont Branch due to shared infrastructure at the JFK/UMass station.
Replacement shuttle services will be available during all closures, and MBTA officials urge riders to check official updates regularly to plan accordingly.
While the short-term inconveniences are considerable, these efforts are part of a broader vision to deliver a safer, more modern, and more reliable public transit system for the city of Boston, explains the head of the MBTA Phillip Eng.
