The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) announces new changes for next month.
Adjustments will be made on several rail lines, including the Red, Green, Orange, Kingston, Greenbush, Middleborough/Lakeville, Fairmount, Newburyport/Rockport and Haverhill lines.
The changes are part of the MBTA’s ongoing efforts to maintain infrastructure and enhance reliability across its entire transportation network, according to a statement released on Monday.
Riders can get detailed information about the service changes through station signage, public announcements and the MBTA website. Transit ambassadors and MBTA staff will also be on hand to provide assistance and information during these transition periods, informs the MBTA communications office, which invites riders to subscribe to T-Alerts or follow the MBTA on social media for real-time updates.
The Red Line will undergo major adjustments, with suspended train service between Park Street (Downtown) and JFK/UMass stations from May 1 to 9. Evening Red Line trains between Park Street and Ashmont stations will also be suspended from 8:30pm until the end of service during this period, according to the MBTA.
To accommodate passengers, free and accessible shuttle buses will run between these stations, and specific information will be available on the MBTA website and at all stations, explains the MBTA, which also plans to temporarily suspend the Red Line at Broadway (Boston) and Braintree stations on the weekends of May 11 to 12 and May 18 to 19. Shuttle buses will be provided for users, who are encouraged to use Commuter Rail’s express shuttle service from Braintree wherever possible.
On the Green Line, service will bypass Magoun Square station on the Medford/Tufts branch throughout May 4 for accessibility ramp improvements.
On the Orange Line, service will be interrupted between Wellington and North Station on various dates in May, and shuttle buses will be provided for affected passengers. Similar interruptions will take place between Wellington (Medford) and Back Bay (Boston) stations from May 28 to June 6. Commuter train users on the Kingston, Middleborough and Greenbush lines will face weekend suspensions between South Station and Braintree stations on May 11-12 and May 18-19, with shuttles available as an alternative.
The Middleborough/Lakeville commuter rail line will be suspended for nine days between Middleborough/Lakeville and Bridgewater stations, from April 27 to May 5, to facilitate work related to the South Coast Rail project.
The MBTA also plans to suspend the Fairmount commuter rail line over the weekend between Readville and South Station on May 4 and 5 due to the East Cottage Street and Norfolk Avenue bridge replacement project. Finally, the Newburyport/Rockport commuter rail line will be suspended over the weekend between North Station and Swampscott on May 18 and 19. Express shuttles will run between Swampscott and North Station, with additional local stops.
While these service changes may inconvenience some riders, the MBTA assures passengers that these adjustments are essential for long-term improvements in reliability, safety and efficiency. Since the arrival of new General Manager Phillip Eng at the helm of Massachusetts’ largest transit company, many changes have been made within the MBTA, which promises to repair rail tracks as quickly as possible to meet the requirements of government authorities and protect riders.
In its press release on the new changes, the MBTA thanked users for their patience and continued support in its efforts to improve transit services throughout Massachusetts.
For more information visit the MBTA website at https://www.mbta.com/