REMINDER: Shuttle Buses Replace Green Line from Copley to Babcock Street, Cleveland Circle, and Brookline Hills on February 20-March 8 for Critical Track Work

This notice serves as a reminder of the upcoming Green Line closure previously announced on January 19.

This service change is in place while crews perform work as part of the Track Improvement Program, which will improve reliability, alleviate safety-related speed restrictions, and provide a safer ride.

Following up on the previous announcement from January 19, the MBTA is today reminding riders that Green Line service on the B branch between Copley and Babcock Street, on the C branch between Copley and Cleveland Circle, and on the D branch between Copley and Brookline Hills will be suspended all day from start to end of service for 18 days from February 20-March 8. 

As previously announced, this service change is in place to allow crews to perform critical work to upgrade infrastructure as part of the Track Improvement Program, which will improve reliability, alleviate safety-related speed restrictions, and provide a safer ride.

A page with dedicated information for riders is available at mbta.com/GreenLine with information also available at mbta.com/alerts. Riders can also learn more at mbta.com/TrackProgram. Travel alternatives during this service change are below: 

• B Branch: Free and accessible shuttle buses will operate between Babcock Street and Copley stations. 
  • Riders should note that shuttle bus service will not be available at Blandford Street station in both directions and should instead utilize shuttle bus service at the next nearest stop. 
  • Outbound B branch riders will not be charged a fare at Babcock Street (outbound/westbound only). 
  • There will be free fares at Copley Station with the fare gates open. 
  • Riders can also utilize free Route 57 bus service for alternate travel between Kenmore and Packard’s Corner.
     
• C Branch: Free and accessible shuttle buses will operate between Cleveland Circle and Copley stations. 
  • Riders should note that shuttle bus service will not be available at Saint Mary’s Street, Kent Street, or Brandon Hall in both directions and should instead utilize shuttle bus service at the next nearest stop. 
  • There will be free fares at Copley Station with the fare gates open. 
     
• D Branch: Free and accessible shuttle buses will operate between Brookline Hills and Copley stations. 
  • Riders are encouraged to consider walking 5-10 minutes from Brookline Hills and Brookline Village to Riverway station on the E branch for Green Line train service. 
  • Outbound D branch riders will not be charged a fare at Brookline Hills (outbound/westbound only). 
  • There will be free fares at Copley Station with the fare gates open. 
  • The Commuter Rail will be fare-free between South Station, Back Bay, and Lansdowne stations during this Green Line service change. Riders should note that regular fares should be purchased beyond Lansdowne.
     
• As a result of this service change, riders travelling on Green Line trains between Government Center and Copley are encouraged to plan extra time and should anticipate longer waits. 
  • Riders are strongly encouraged to utilize the Orange Line in the downtown area as a service alternative, especially during morning and evening peak travel periods as there will be fewer Green Line trains in the downtown core. The fare gates at Back Bay will be open to riders, allowing free fares for riders who choose to utilize the Orange Line during this service change.

• Riders should also note that this service change overlaps with a planned weekend closure on the Red Line between Harvard and Broadway from February 24-25. Additional details are available at mbta.com/RedLine. 

Green Line shutdown locations were determined based on a few factors:

• First, the focus of the work is track and tie replacements to address a speed restriction near Hynes Convention Center and several speed restrictions above ground on the B and C branches. Crews will also maximize the unencumbered access to track areas and stations by performing additional infrastructure upgrades and station amenity improvements like new lighting, painting, tiling, and power washing. 
   
• Second, the shutdown areas are determined based on where crews and maintenance vehicles are able to access critical above-ground entrance points to enter track areas and underground Green Line tunnels. 
   
• Last and importantly, shutdown locations are determined based on where Green Line trains can turn around and make an outbound trip. For example, on the B branch, Babcock Street is the last place where Green Line trains from Boston College can turn around and make an outbound/westbound trip. There is no place for trains to turn between Babcock and Blandford Streets. 

The important work accomplished during Green Line service suspensions as part of the Track Improvement Program means riders will experience a more reliable trip on the Green Line with fewer unplanned service disruptions related to older tracks, older infrastructure, signal issues, or power problems. Riders will also be provided with a safer ride as a result of this state of good repair work. On the Green Line, previous Track Improvement Program work included: 

• from November 27 through December 5, 2023, when service was suspended on the B branch from Babcock Street to Kenmore, on the E branch between Heath Street and Copley, and in the downtown area between Kenmore and North Station; 
• from December 11-20, 2023, when service was suspended on the D branch from Riverside to Kenmore; and 
• from January 3-12 and from January 16-28, 2024, when service was suspended on the B branch from Babcock Street to Kenmore, on the E branch between Heath Street and Copley, and in the downtown area between Kenmore and North Station. 

Compared to years past, the Track Improvement Program is a significant, unprecedented, and proactive effort to ensure track infrastructure is, first and foremost, safe while continuing to achieve faster trip times overall. These long-overdue infrastructure investments will benefit riders and employees, and the MBTA welcomes continued engagement with stakeholders, including the riding public, as it continues to make system-wide improvements. 

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 thanks riders for their patience as we deliver this important work and for continuing to ride our system.

More information is also available through in-station signage and public announcements. 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 for up-to-date service information.

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