May Service Changes: MBTA Continues Work to Improve Reliability Across the System

Last updated May 3, 2024

Service changes are planned on the Red, Green, Orange, Kingston, Greenbush, Middleborough/Lakeville, Fairmount, Newburyport/Rockport, and Haverhill lines.

The MBTA today announced service changes in May on the Red, Green, Orange, Kingston, Greenbush, Middleborough/Lakeville, Fairmount, Newburyport/Rockport, and Haverhill lines. The MBTA will continue working to maintain its infrastructure and improve reliability across the system.

Riders can find more information on service changes through in-station signage, in-station public announcements, and at mbta.com/alerts. Transit Ambassadors and MBTA staff will be available on-site to offer information and assistance during these service changes. Riders are encouraged to subscribe to T-Alerts or to follow the MBTA on X (the site formerly known as Twitter) @MBTA, @MBTA_CR, and @MBTA_CR_Alerts for up-to-date service information. 

On the Red Line:

• As previously announced, Red Line train service will be suspended daily between Park Street and JFK/UMass stations from May 2-10. In addition to that, from May 2-9, evening Red Line trains will not operate between Park Street and Ashmont stations from approximately 8:30 PM through the end of service every day. Shuttle buses will instead operate to accommodate riders.
   
  • Free and accessible shuttle buses will make all stops between these stations. A page with dedicated information for riders is available at mbta.com/RedLine.
     
  • There will be free fares at Park Street, South Station, and JFK/UMass stations with the fare gates open. 
     
  • The Commuter Rail will be fare free between Braintree, Quincy Center, JFK/UMass, and South Station. Regular fares should be purchased beyond Braintree. 
     
  • This service change is in place as part of the MBTA’s Track Improvement Program. The Track Improvement Program will replace tracks and ties to alleviate speed restrictions along the line while crews maximize the outage by performing signal work and station amenity upgrades, including new lighting, painting, tiling, power washing, and more.

• Red Line service will be suspended between Broadway and North Quincy on the Braintree Branch during the weekend of May 11-12. 
   
  • Free and accessible shuttle buses will make all stops between JFK/UMass and North Quincy. 
     
  • Riders should note that regular Red Line train service will operate on the Ashmont Branch between JFK/UMass and Ashmont.
     
  • This service change is in place to allow crews to perform necessary work as part of the Dorchester Avenue Bridge Replacement Project and the Track Improvement Program. Originally built in 1925 and last rehabilitated in 1975, the Dorchester Avenue Bridge will be replaced to protect its structural integrity and ensure reliable service. When complete, this project will result in safer, more reliable Red Line service. The Track Improvement Program will replace tracks and ties to alleviate speed restrictions along the line while crews maximize the outage by performing signal work and station amenity upgrades, including new lighting, painting, tiling, power washing, and more. 
     
• Red Line service will be suspended between Broadway and Braintree stations on the Braintree Branch during the weekend of May 18-19.
  • Free and accessible shuttle buses will make all stops between Broadway and Braintree. 
     
  • Riders are encouraged to use Commuter Rail express shuttle bus service from Braintree if possible. Express shuttle buses will operate directly between South Station and Braintree.
     
  • Riders should note that regular Red Line train service will operate on the Ashmont Branch between JFK/UMass and Ashmont.
     
  • This service change is in place to allow crews to perform necessary work as part of the Dorchester Avenue Bridge Replacement Project and the Track Improvement Program. Originally built in 1925 and last rehabilitated in 1975, the Dorchester Avenue Bridge will be replaced to protect its structural integrity and ensure reliable service. When complete, this project will result in safer, more reliable Red Line service. The Track Improvement Program will replace tracks and ties to alleviate speed restrictions along the line while crews maximize the outage by performing signal work and station amenity upgrades, including new lighting, painting, tiling, power washing, and more. 

On the Green Line:

• Green Line service will bypass Magoun Square station on the Medford/Tufts Branch all day from start to end of service on May 4.
   
  • Riders can instead utilize Route 80 and 88 bus service, which operates between the Magoun Square area and Lechmere.
     
  • This service change is in place for crews to accomplish improvement work on an accessibility ramp at the station.

On the Orange Line:

• Orange Line service will be suspended in the following areas during the following dates and times:
   
  • Between Wellington and North Station: 
     
    • Beginning at approximately 8:45 PM and through the end of service on Friday, May 17, and continuing all day, every day through the weekend of May 18-19. 
       
    • Beginning at approximately 8:45 PM and through the end of service on May 20-24.
       
    • Free and accessible shuttle buses will make all stops between Wellington and North Station. 
       
    • There will be free fares at Wellington and North Station with the fare gates open. 
       
    • During the weekend shuttle bus service on May 18-19, Bus Route 137 will be fare-free.
       
    • During the evening shuttle bus service on May 20-24, the Commuter Rail will be fare free between Oak Grove, Malden Center, and North Station. Regular fares should be purchased beyond Oak Grove.
       
  • Between Wellington and Back Bay stations:
     
    • All day and every day for 10 days from May 28-June 6.
       
    • Free and accessible shuttle buses will make all stops between Wellington and North Station. For service through the downtown area near Back Bay, riders are encouraged to utilize parallel Green Line service between North Station and Copley.
       
  • These service changes are in place in support of MassDOT’s Maffa Way/Mystic Avenue Bridge Superstructure Replacements project and the MBTA’s Track Improvement Program. The Maffa Way/Mystic Avenue Bridge Superstructure Replacements project will replace the two deteriorated bridge superstructures and improve bicycle, pedestrian, and transit facilities. The Track Improvement Program will replace tracks and ties to alleviate speed restrictions along the line while crews maximize the outage by performing signal work and station amenity upgrades, including new lighting, painting, tiling, power washing, and more.

On the Kingston, Middleborough, and Greenbush Commuter Rail lines: 

• Kingston, Middleborough, and Greenbush Commuter Rail Line service will be suspended between South Station and Braintree Station during the weekends of May 11-12 and May 18-19.
   
  • Free and accessible shuttle buses will replace trains between South Station and Braintree. Express shuttle buses will operate directly between South Station and Braintree. The diversion schedule will be available online soon at mbta.com/CommuterRail.
     
  • Passengers desiring service to Quincy Center station are strongly encouraged to utilize the Red Line shuttle from South Station, JFK/UMass, or Braintree. 
     
  • 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. 
     
  • This service change is in place because these Commuter Rail lines run adjacent to the Red Line where the Track Improvement Program and the Dorchester Avenue Bridge Replacement Project work is taking place.

On the Middleborough/Lakeville Commuter Rail Line:

• Middleborough/Lakeville Commuter Rail Line service will be suspended between Middleborough/Lakeville and Bridgewater stations for nine days from April 27-May 5.
   
  • Free and accessible shuttle buses will make stops between Middleborough/Lakeville and Bridgewater. A dedicated diversion schedule will be in effect and available on mbta.com soon. 
     
  • Regular Commuter Rail fares will be collected between Bridgewater and South Station.
     
  • This service change is in place in support of the South Coast Rail project. When complete, the South Coast Rail project will offer a reliable transit connection between southeastern Massachusetts and Boston. Riders will be able to take a one-seat trip—no transfers needed—for the first time since the late 1950s.

On the Fairmount Commuter Rail Line:

• Fairmount Commuter Rail Line service will be suspended between Readville and South Station during the weekend of May 4-5.
   
  • Free and accessible shuttle buses will make stops between Readville and South Station. A dedicated diversion schedule will be in effect and available on mbta.com soon. 
     
  • This service change is in place in support of the East Cottage Street and Norfolk Avenue Bridge Replacement project. These bridges, between the Uphams Corner and Newmarket stations, carry the Fairmount Line through Roxbury and Dorchester. Both built in 1906, the bridges are being replaced with updated steel infrastructures to improve safety and reliability.

On the Newburyport/Rockport Commuter Rail Line:

• Newburyport/Rockport Commuter Rail Line service will be suspended between North Station and Swampscott during the weekend of May 18-19.
   
  • Express shuttle buses will operate directly between Swampscott and North Station.
  • Shuttle buses will also make local stops between Swampscott, Lynn within the busway at the legacy station, Wonderland for connections to the Blue Line subway, Chelsea Station for connections to the Silver Line 3 (SL3), and North Station. A dedicated diversion schedule will be in effect and available on mbta.com soon. 
  • The last outbound shuttle bus will also make a special late-night stop at Salem and Beverly Depot.
  • Passengers are encouraged to utilize the SL3, which might best suit their alternate travel needs. The SL3 travels through Chelsea and East Boston to Logan Airport, the Seaport District, and South Station, making connections to many area bus routes (including the 111, 112, 116, and 117) as well as the Blue and Red lines. The SL3 will be fare-free at Chelsea Station. 
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  • This service change is in place in support of MassDOT’s Maffa Way/Mystic Avenue Bridge Superstructure Replacements project. The Maffa Way/Mystic Avenue Bridge Superstructure Replacements project will replace the two deteriorated bridge superstructures and improve bicycle, pedestrian, and transit facilities.

On the Haverhill Commuter Rail Line:

• Haverhill Commuter Rail Line service will be suspended between Ballardvale and North Station during the weekend of May 18-19. 
   
  • A dedicated diversion schedule will be available soon on mbta.com.
     
  • Free and accessible shuttle buses will replace train service between Anderson/Woburn, Reading, and North Station. 
     
  • Regular Commuter Rail fares will be collected between Haverhill and Ballardvale.
     
  • North Wilmington Station will not have shuttle bus service with passengers encouraged to utilize Lowell Line service at Wilmington Station instead. 
     
  • Train service for passengers between Ballardvale and Haverhill will be re-routed along the Lowell Line after Ballardvale, making one additional stop at Anderson/Woburn and then running express to North Station. Riders desiring service to or from Reading and Oak Grove should disembark at Anderson/Woburn and board the shuttle bus service.
     
  • Bus Route 137 will be fare free.
     
  • This service change is in place in support of MassDOT’s Maffa Way/Mystic Avenue Bridge Superstructure Replacements project. The Maffa Way/Mystic Avenue Bridge Superstructure Replacements project will replace the two deteriorated bridge superstructures and improve bicycle, pedestrian, and transit facilities.

The MBTA previously announced service changes in April. More information is available here. 

The MBTA understands how these service changes affect riders’ daily travels during this period, but we are committed to improving your travels long term with more reliable, timely, and safe service. We thank riders for their patience as we deliver this important work and for continuing to ride our system.

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