MBTA Announces Additional SL4 Stop during Orange Line Shutdown; Supplemental Shuttle to Serve Tufts Medical Community

The MBTA today announced an additional outbound Silver Line 4 stop to serve the Chinatown neighborhood during the closure of the Orange Line beginning Friday, August 19, at 9 PM. The added SL4 bus stop will be located at the intersection of Surface Artery and Kneeland Street.

The MBTA is also adding a supplemental shuttle service during the Orange Line closure to connect Government Center, Tufts Medical Center, and Chinatown stations, serving the neighborhood and medical community. However, people transiting the downtown area are encouraged to consider the Green Line, walking, or biking as primary alternatives to shuttle service due to its limited schedule and regular traffic congestion in the area.

The supplemental shuttle will provide an early morning and evening free, accessible shuttle bus service approximately every 30 minutes connecting Government Center, Tufts Medical Center, and Chinatown. The shuttle will leave Government Center approximately every 30 minutes at the top and bottom of the hour from the start of service at 5 AM until 7 AM and starting again at 8 PM from Government Center until the end of service at 1 AM. The Chinatown shuttle stop will be located on Washington Street at the corner of Essex, just before the crosswalk. The Tufts Medical Center shuttle stop will also be located on Washington Street.

The MBTA is updating its Rider’s Guide to Planning Ahead to reflect the most recent changes to the transit options available to riders. Rider Guides are also available in multiple languages and will be posted on mbta.com/BBT2022.

The Orange Line closure will address a maintenance backlog and planned construction investments, all of which are focused on safety improvements and returning the system closer to a state of good repair. Thirty days of 24-hour access will replace more than five years of Orange Line delays and weekend diversions.

The MBTA encourages Orange Line riders to plan ahead and consider Commuter Rail service as an alternative to the Orange Line. Commuter Rail service is available at Forest Hills, Ruggles, Back Bay, North Station, Malden Center, and Oak Grove. Riders can simply show their CharlieCard or CharlieTicket to conductors to ride the Commuter Rail in Zones 1A, 1, and 2 on all Commuter Rail lines at no charge.

During the closure, the T will offer free shuttle buses between Oak Grove and Haymarket/Government Center and between Forest Hills and Back Bay/Copley. Accessible vans will also be available upon request.

The MBTA encourages those who can work from home to do so and for the public that needs to travel, to consider alternative travel options. The Orange Line closure will have regional impacts on the transportation network well beyond transit users.