Mattapan Line Program

collage image of workers on tracks, green line train, and new building

We’re making improvements to the Mattapan Line to ensure accessible, reliable, and modern service for Dorchester, Mattapan, and Milton for years to come. This program will implement a state of good repair, as well as accessibility, safety, and rider experience improvements to all infrastructure that will support future service and deployment of the Type 9 light rail vehicle.

Our vision is to build a transformed Mattapan Line that provides mobility equity and a transit experience the community is proud of, with reliable, comfortable, and safe service where and when riders need it. This will include convenient access and connections, and a cohesive, uniform aesthetic that integrates the essence of the legacy trolleys, adjacent natural resources and landmarks, and varied communities along the line.

Why We’re Doing This Work

The historic 1940s Mattapan Line trolley runs on 2.6 miles of track between Ashmont, on the Red Line, and Mattapan Station. It serves 6,600 riders every day. The route has eight stations and connects riders to many local bus routes and the Neponset River Trail.

At public meetings in Dorchester, Mattapan, and Milton, residents talked to us about the issues that are important to them. Riders shared their thoughts on topics including accessibility, safety, and reliability. Future improvements to the Mattapan Line will incorporate and reflect that feedback.

Building a Better T

As part of our $9.6 billion, 5-year capital investment plan, we're renovating stations, modernizing fare collection systems, upgrading services for our buses, subways, and ferries, and improving the accessibility of the entire system.

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Project Features

In the next eight to 10 years, we will modernize stations and improve infrastructure throughout the Mattapan Line. This includes introducing the next generation of vehicles to the line, the Type 9 light rail vehicles. These vehicles are much more accessible, as they make level boarding possible at the middle doors by featuring sliding doors and automatic ramps. They also have a bigger capacity. PCC trolleys will be taken out of service once they are replaced, and the MBTA will continue to engage with the local community and key stakeholders to identify potential uses for the legacy PCC cars.

We will be raising platforms to fourteen inches to allow for level boarding onto the Type 9 light rail vehicle, which will eliminate the need for mini high platforms that you see on the line today. The projects will be designed and built with considerations for climate resiliency and sustainability.

The project will improve safety conditions on the tracks, including:

Upgrading the existing communications system to meet current accessibility standards
Evaluating the applicability of a signal system on the line
Adding capacity and redundancy to the traction power system
Replacing the existing rail and ties
Improving drainage and flood resiliency
Rehabilitating or fully replacing bridges and structures that will carry the Type 9 vehicle

Rider Benefits

Station improvements including benches, canopies, updated lighting, street crossings, walkways, and accessibility improvements
Larger platforms to accommodate larger ridership volume
Raised platforms to allow for level boarding onto Type 9 light rail vehicles, eliminating the need for mini high platforms that are on the line currently
Additional passenger capacity on the Type 9 light rail vehicles
Once the Type 9 vehicle is introduced, winter operations are anticipated to improve to be similar to that on the Green Line today
New, modern maintenance facility and yard next to Mattapan Station to maintain the performance and safety of the future Type 9 fleet
Track safety upgrades
Improved reliability, safety, and accessibility for riders, with convenient access and connections
Each station will be evaluated for potential parking and drop-off improvements

Get Involved

The program is in its early stages of design, which is a perfect time to get involved. We want to hear from you! Your feedback is critical to ensuring the new Mattapan Line is designed to meet your needs.

Take the Survey

We want to hear from you about how you use the Mattapan Line and any improvements you want to see.

Take the survey in your preferred language:

What We’ve Done So Far

Currently, a total of $127 million has been committed to transform the Mattapan Line. This includes $114.5 million for the Mattapan Line work and $12.2 million to refurbish the PCC trolleys for continued service until they are replaced by the Type 9 light rail vehicles. Two trolleys have been refurbished through this initiative, and the third is currently being refurbished with an expected return to service date as soon as fall 2023. Additional funding will be requested as needed as the program progresses.

This major program is in the early stages of design. As we progress through designing the overhaul of the existing Mattapan Line infrastructure, the Mattapan Line Program team is continuing to look for ways to improve the rider experience in the short term and respond to public feedback. For example, riders have requested the inclusion of public restrooms, and we will be evaluating the feasibility of that addition.

In response to public concern regarding the damaged staircase from Adams Street to Milton Station, the staircase was removed in March 2023.

Additionally, the MBTA recently updated the countdown sign on the southbound platform at Ashmont Station. This sign now has the countdowns for the next trolley, so that riders who are arriving at Ashmont and transferring to Mattapan can immediately see when the next trolley is departing.