MBTA Announces September Service Changes

Service changes are taking place in September to support the Ruggles Station Improvements Project, Ashmont branch bridge work, Wonderland switch work, Green Line accessibility upgrades, signal modernization within the Green Line central tunnel, Worcester Line track and signal improvements, the South Station Signal and Track Improvements Project, and MassDOT’s West Roxbury Parkway Bridge Replacement project.

The MBTA today announced service changes in September on the Orange, Red, Blue, Green, Framingham/Worcester, Needham, New Bedford/Fall River, Greenbush, and Kingston lines.  

Riders can find more information on service changes through in-station signage, in-station public announcements, and at mbta.com/PlannedWork. 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 @MBTA, @MBTA_CR, and @MBTA_CR_Alerts for up-to-date service information.

On the Orange Line

In September, the MBTA will continue to advance the Ruggles Station Improvements Project. Serving riders on the Orange Line, Commuter Rail, and several key bus routes, Ruggles is one of the most used stations in the network, and the MBTA has spent the last few years making improvements to provide riders with a better travel experience. In September, crews will make concrete repairs at platforms, along stair walls, and at the Ruggles Street Bridge.

To accomplish this work, the following service change will take place:

• Orange Line service will be suspended between Forest Hills and Back Bay for five consecutive days, September 10 – 14.
   

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  • Free and accessible shuttle buses will make stops between Back Bay and Forest Hills.
     
  • Riders are encouraged to consider the Commuter Rail for fare-free service between Forest Hills, Ruggles, Back Bay, and South Station. The trip between Forest Hills and Back Bay on the Commuter Rail is approximately 10 minutes.  
     
  • Riders using shuttles bus service should budget ample extra travel time. For example, a rider travelling to Downtown Crossing from Forest Hills should budget at least an additional 30 minutes of travel in addition to their regular commute.
     
  • All shuttle buses are accessible to riders with disabilities. However, some buses used during weekday periods will be lift-equipped, coach-style buses. All shuttle buses operating on weekends will be ramp-equipped, low-floor buses. Accessible van service will also be available for riders who prefer it. Riders should see station personnel or use a station call box to request accessible van service.  

On the Red Line

During one weekend in September, the MBTA will perform critical bridge work along the Ashmont branch, specifically repairing bridge columns at the Savin Hill Bridge and installing shielding at the JFK Bridge.  

To accomplish this work, the following service suspension will take place:

• Red Line service will be suspended between JFK/UMass and Ashmont during the weekend of September 19 – 20.
   

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  • Free and accessible shuttle buses will make stops between JFK/UMass and Ashmont.
     
  • Regular Red Line train service will operate on the Braintree branch. The weekend frequency between trains will be increased from every 14 minutes to every 7-8 minutes. 
     
  • Riders using shuttle buses during these service changes should budget ample extra travel time. For example, a rider travelling to Park Street from Ashmont should budget at least an additional 30 minutes of travel time in addition to their regular commute. 
     
  • All shuttle buses are accessible to riders with disabilities. However, some buses used during weekday periods will be lift-equipped, coach-style buses. All shuttle buses operating on weekends will be ramp-equipped, low-floor buses. Accessible van service will also be available between JFK/UMass and Ashmont for riders who prefer it. Riders should see station personnel or use a station call box to request accessible van service.  

On the Blue Line

During one weekend in September, the MBTA’s Maintenance of Way team will perform important switch work at Wonderland, including the replacement of switch timbers, switch points and stock rails, and all other maintenance needs. Spot tie replacements at and near Wonderland will also take place.

To accomplish this work, the following service change will take place:

• All Blue Line trains will operate on a single track between Revere Beach and Wonderland during the weekend of September 26 – 27.  
   
  • Riders will need to board all trains at Wonderland on the outbound platform. 
     
  • Blue Line train service will operate between Bowdoin and Wonderland, though every other train will terminate at either Wonderland or Orient Heights. 
     
  • Trains will operate approximately every 14 minutes between Orient Heights and Wonderland. 
     
  • Trains will operate at their normal weekend frequency between Bowdoin and Orient Heights.

On the Green Line

As previously announced, Symphony Station remains closed to advance major accessibility upgrades at the station. Located in one of Boston’s busiest cultural and historical neighborhoods, the 85-year-old Symphony Station is being upgraded into a safer, fully accessible station featuring four new elevators and many other station enhancements.

In September, work will continue to take place at Brandon Hall and begin at Dean Road as part of the Green Line C Branch Accessibility Improvements project.  

The MBTA will also continue work on critical signal upgrades within the central Green Line tunnel. At over 100 years old, the MBTA’s Green Line signal system is being replaced with upgraded, modern technology. When the project is complete, the new signal system will provide the MBTA Operations team with a safer work environment through improved train detection, better management of train congestion within the tunnel, and more consistent train spacing, which provides the foundation for improved service frequency. These operational improvements also mean more reliable service for riders with fewer unplanned disruptions and emergency repairs caused by the older, aging signal system. Compatible with the upcoming fleet of new Type 10 Green Line cars, these signal upgrades also help prepare the MBTA for future generations of riders.

To accomplish this work, the following service changes will take place:

• Symphony Station is closed to riders until spring 2029. During this time, Green Line E branch trains will bypass the station (meaning trolleys will operate through the station in both directions, but will not stop).  
   
  • Riders who typically board or disembark at Symphony can instead board or disembark at Northeastern University or Prudential, which are 0.3 miles away (or about a five-minute walk) from Symphony.
     
  • Riders are encouraged to instead consider travelling on the Orange Line at Massachusetts Avenue, which is 0.1 miles (or about a three-minute walk) from Symphony.
     
  • Riders may also use the Route 39, which operates parallel to the E branch in both directions along Huntington Avenue.
     
• Green Line C branch service will bypass the following street-level stops during the following dates: 
   
  • Green Line trains in both directions will not stop at Brandon Hall through October 4.  
     
    • Trains will bypass the stop during this time period. Riders can instead board or disembark one stop away at either Fairbanks Street or Summit Avenue, which are 0.1-0.2 miles away (or a 4- to 5-minute walk).  
       
  • Green Line trains will not stop at Dean Road in the inbound direction for 35 days, September 14 – October 9.
     
    • Trains will bypass the stop in the inbound direction during this time period. Riders can instead board or disembark one stop away at either Englewood Avenue or Tappan Street, which are 0.2 miles away (or about a 4- to 5-minute walk).  
       
• Green Line service will be suspended between Government Center and Babcock Street on the B branch, Government Center and Kenmore on the C branch, North Station and Kenmore on the D branch, and Heath Street and North Station on the E Branch during the following dates:
   
  • The weekend of September 19 – 20
  • For nine consecutive days, September 26 – October 4
     

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  • Riders using shuttle bus service should budget ample extra travel time. For example, a rider travelling to Park Street from Boston College should budget at least an additional 25 minutes of travel in additional to their regular commute. 
     
  • B Branch: Free and accessible shuttle buses will operate between Babcock Street and Back Bay. 
     
    • Riders can connect to the Orange Line at Back Bay for continued service through downtown toward North Station.    
       
    • There will be free fares at Kenmore with the fare gates open. Fares will also be free at all surface-level stops west of Kenmore. 
       
    • Route 57 bus service will be fare-free during this service change.   
       
  • C Branch: Free and accessible shuttle buses will operate between Kenmore and Back Bay.  
       
    • Riders can connect to the Orange Line at Back Bay for continued service through downtown toward North Station.     
       
    • There will be free fares at Kenmore with the fare gates open. Fares will also be free at all surface-level stops west of Kenmore.   
       
  • D Branch: Free and accessible shuttle buses will operate between Kenmore and Back Bay. 
        
    • Riders can connect to the Orange Line at Back Bay for continued service through downtown toward North Station.     
       
    • There will be free fares at Kenmore and Riverside with the fare gates open. Fares will also be free at all surface-level stops west of Kenmore.   
       
  • E Branch: Route 39 will replace Green Line E Branch service between Heath Street and Back Bay. Extra buses will be added to the 39 to accommodate additional capacity. The route will be fare-free during this service change.  
     
  • All shuttle buses are accessible to riders with disabilities. However, some buses used during weekday periods will be lift-equipped, coach-style buses. All shuttle buses operating on weekends will be ramp-equipped, low-floor buses. Accessible van service will also be available between North Station and Copley/Back Bay for riders who prefer it. Riders should see station personnel or use a station call box to request accessible van service.  

On the Framingham/Worcester Commuter Rail Line

In September, the MBTA will perform critical work on the Framingham/Worcester Line as part of Worcester Line track and signal improvements in Wellesley. Crews are installing two new track crossovers, new signal and power infrastructure, and back-of-house software updates in Wellesley. These improvements enable potential future service changes, including all-day, 30-minute “Zonal express” bi-directional service to Worcester and local bi-directional service to Framingham.

To accomplish this work, the following service suspension will take place:

• Framingham/Worcester Line service will be suspended between Framingham and South Station during the weekend of September 19 – 20.
   
  • Free and accessible shuttle bus service will replace train service between Framingham and South Station. There will be four shuttle routes available during this closure.
     
    • Shuttle Bus Route 1 will operate between Framingham, West Natick, Natick Center, Wellesley Square, Wellesley Hills, and South Station.  
       
    • Shuttle Bus Route 2 will operate between Wellesley Hills,  Auburndale, West Newton, Newtonville, Boston Landing, and South Station.  
       
    • Shuttle Bus Route 3 will operate between Framingham, West Natick, Natick Center, Wellesley Square, Wellesley Hills, and Back Bay.  
       
    • Shuttle Bus Route 4 will operate between Wellesley Hills, Auburndale, West Newton, Newtonville, Boston Landing, and Back Bay.  
       
  • There will be no shuttle bus stops at Wellesley Farms and Lansdowne.      
     
    • Passengers who typically board at Wellesley Farms should instead travel to Wellesley Hills for alternate shuttle bus services. 
       
  • The Commuter Rail between Worcester and Framingham will be fare-free during this service change.  

On the Needham Commuter Rail Line

MassDOT will perform work in September as part of the West Roxbury Parkway Bridge Replacement project, which will replace the bridge that carries the West Roxbury Parkway over the Needham Line. The MBTA will also perform signal upgrade work as part of the South Station Signal and Track Improvements Project, which focuses on upgrading the Commuter Rail’s Tower One interlocking and Cove interlocking. These areas control all rail traffic in and out of South Station, the second largest multimodal transportation facility in New England. Aimed at improving reliability of train service at South Station, this project also supports future growth of the MBTA and Amtrak.

To accomplish this work, the following service change will take place:

• Needham Line service will be suspended between Needham Heights and South Station beginning at approximately 11 PM through the end of service on September 18 and continuing through the weekend of September 19 – 20:
   

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  • There will be no shuttle bus service alternatives for this service change.   
     
  • Passengers may use Bus Routes 35, 36, and 37 between West Roxbury and Forest Hills for connections to Orange Line subway service between Forest Hills and Back Bay.   
     
  • Passengers may use Bus Route 59 between Needham Junction and Newton Highlands. Additional buses will operate on the 59 later into the evenings during these weekend dates to mimic the span of time Needham Line train service operates.   
     
  • There will be no service at Hersey. 
     
  • Riders using Bus Routes 35, 36, 37, or 59 should budget extra travel time. For example, a rider traveling to South Station from West Roxbury should budget at least 35 minutes of travel in addition to their regular trip time.

On the New Bedford/Fall River, Greenbush, and Kingston Commuter Rail Lines

During one weekend in September, the MBTA will perform critical bridge work along the Red Line’s Ashmont branch, specifically repairing bridge columns at the Savin Hill Bridge and installing shielding at the JFK Bridge, which also affects service on the New Bedford/Fall River, Greenbush, and Kingston Commuter Rail lines.

To accomplish this work, the following service change will take place:

• New Bedford/Fall River, Greenbush, and Kingston Line service will be suspended between South Station and Braintree (including at Quincy Center) during the weekend of September 19 - 20.
   

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  • Passengers should instead utilize Red Line subway service between South Station and Braintree (via Quincy Center) for Commuter Rail connections beyond Braintree or Quincy Center.
     
  • Riders traveling to/from South Station should budget extra travel time. For example, a rider traveling to South Station from Braintree should budget at least 15 minutes of travel in addition to their regular trip time.

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

Significance of Multi-Day Outages

The MBTA is reminding riders that service outages such as these are a critical and necessary part of maintaining the infrastructure improvements that took place as part of the 2024 Track Improvement Program while also making further system upgrades and modernizing the MBTA’s infrastructure. This work cannot be performed during the overnight hours when the MBTA does not operate, and would be extremely inefficient and costly if planned during single weekend outages.  

Closing a section of the transit system for multiple days is the most efficient way to perform the MBTA’s routine maintenance, revitalization efforts, inspections, and upgrade work, and combines the efforts of multiple contractors and the MBTA workforce around the clock 24/7 to maximize productivity. This work is necessary and continuous to maintain the reliable service riders count on.

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