MBTA Announces April Service Changes

Service changes are taking place in April to support Columbia Junction Signal Modernization, Green Line improvements, the North Station Terminal Area Signal System Improvement Project, and Old Colony Commuter Rail Line system maintenance.

The MBTA today announced service changes in April on the Red, Green, Fitchburg, Haverhill, Lowell, Newburyport/Rockport, New Bedford/Fall River, Greenbush, and Kingston Commuter Rail 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 Red Line

As previously announced, riders are reminded of current and upcoming phased service changes as part of Red Line signal modernization work at Columbia Junction near JFK/UMass.

On the Green Line

At the end of April, the MBTA will perform work on a number of critical projects on the B branch during a nine-day service outage, including infrastructure improvements, the continued installation of Green Line Train Protection System (GLTPS) infrastructure, the replacement of the 130-year-old wooden overhead catenary wire "trough" near the Green Line portals, and necessary maintenance work to maintain the system. Trough replacement work will also take place during the weekend of April 25 - 26.

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

• Green Line service will be suspended between Kenmore and Boston College for nine consecutive days, April 22 - 30.
  
  • Free and accessible shuttle buses will replace service between Kenmore and Boston College.
    
  • Shuttle buses will not stop at Griggs Street, Allston Street, and Packard's Corner due to accessibility issues.
    
  • Riders should note the Green Line B Branch suspension will be extended to Copley as described below during the weekend of April 25 - 26.
    
  • Riders using shuttles 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 10 minutes of travel in additional to their regular commute.
    
  • On April 22 - 24 and April 27 - 30, riders can also utilize free Route 57 bus service for alternate travel between Kenmore and Packard's Corner.
    
    • Route 57 is not recommended for alternative service during the weekend of April 25 - 26 as there will be no Green Line service at Kenmore.
      
• Green Line service will be suspended between Copley and Boston College on the B branch, St. Mary's on the C branch, and Brookline Hills on the D branch during the weekend of April 25 - 26.
  
  • B branch: Free and accessible shuttle buses will operate between Boston College and Back Bay.
    
    • Green Line frequency will be reduced between Copley and Government Center. Riders are encouraged to utilize Orange Line service at Back Bay for continued service through downtown.
      
    • Riders may also travel to Copley from Back Bay, which is about a quarter mile (or a five-minute walk).
      
    • Shuttle buses will not stop at Griggs Street, Allston Street, and Packard's Corner due to accessibility issues.
      
  • C branch: Free and accessible shuttle buses will operate between Park Drive @ Beacon Street and Back Bay.
    
    • Riders can travel from Saint Mary's to the Park Drive @ Beacon Street stop, which is less than a quarter mile (or a four-minute walk).
      
    • Green Line frequency will be reduced between Copley and Government Center. Riders are encouraged to utilize Orange Line service at Back Bay for continued service through downtown.
      
    • Riders may also travel to Copley from Back Bay, which is about a quarter mile (or a five-minute walk).
      
    • Fares will be free at all surface-level stops west of Saint Mary's.
      
  • D branch: Free and accessible shuttle buses will operate between Brookline Hills and Back Bay.
    
    • Green Line frequency will be reduced between Copley and Government Center. Riders are encouraged to utilize Orange Line service at Back Bay for continued service through downtown.
      
    • Riders may also travel to Copley from Back Bay, which is about a quarter mile (or a five-minute walk).
      
    • There will be free fares at Riverside with the fare gates open. Fares will also be free at all surface-level stops west of Brookline Hills.
      
  • Riders using shuttles bus service should budget ample extra travel time. For example, a rider travelling to Park Street from Riverside should budget at least an additional 45 minutes of travel in additional to their regular commute.
    
  • The Worcester Commuter Rail Line 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 and regular fares should be purchased if traveling on a Commuter Rail Line other than the Worcester Line.

On the Fitchburg, Haverhill, Lowell, and Newburyport/Rockport lines

The MBTA will perform work during in April as part of the North Station Terminal Area Signal System Improvement Project that affects all Northside Commuter Rail lines. This project is replacing the obsolete signal system that controls the movement of MBTA Commuter Rail and Amtrak trains in and out of North Station with a new, state-of-the-art microprocessor system that requires less maintenance and reduces failures and train delays. The area where work is taking place is a complex network of tracks and switches that connect the station tracks at North Station, five major Commuter Rail lines, and the Boston Engine Terminal where trains are stored and maintained.

To accomplish this work, the following service suspensions will take place during for three consecutive says, April 10 - 12, and four consecutive days, April 24 - 27:

• Fitchburg Line service will be suspended between North Station and Porter.

• • Passengers can instead utilize the Red Line subway service to and from Porter for alternate connections.
    
  • Riders traveling to/from North Station should budget extra travel time. For example, a rider traveling to North Station from Porter should budget at least 20 minutes of travel in addition to their regular trip time.
    
• Haverhill Line service will be suspended between North Station and Oak Grove.

• • Passengers can instead utilize Orange Line subway service as an alternative between each station.
    
  • Riders using the Orange Line should budget extra travel time. For example, a rider traveling to North Station from Oak Grove should budget at least 10 minutes of travel in addition to their regular trip time.
    
• Lowell Line service will be suspended between North Station and Anderson/Woburn.

• • Free and accessible local shuttle buses will operate between each station.
    
  • Free and accessible express shuttle buses will operate directly between North Station and Anderson/Woburn.
    
  • Regular Commuter Rail fares should be purchased for service beyond Anderson/Woburn.
    
  • Riders using the shuttle buses should budget extra travel time. For example, a rider traveling to North Station from Anderson/Woburn should budget up to 15 minutes additional travel on the express shuttle and up to 40 minutes additional travel on the local shuttle.
    
• Newburyport/Rockport Line service will be suspended between North Station and Swampscott.

• • Free and accessible local shuttle buses will operate between each station.
    
  • Free and accessible express shuttle buses will operate directly between North Station and Swampscott.
    
    • On April 11 and 12 only, shuttle buses will be extended to Beverly Depot instead of Swampscott.
      
  • Regular Commuter Rail fares should be purchased for service beyond Swampscott.
    
  • Riders using shuttle buses should budget extra travel time. For example, a rider traveling to North Station from Swampscott should budget up to 40 minutes additional travel on the express shuttle and up to 70 minutes additional travel on the local shuttle.
    
  • Note: The last outbound trip of the night will also serve Salem and Beverly Depot. There will be no train connections at Beverly Depot.
    
• A dedicated diversion schedule will be available soon on MBTA.com/CR.

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

The MBTA will perform critical maintenance work on the Old Colony Lines during weekends in April. This regular, planned renewal and revitalization work is ongoing and continuous, ensuring the long-term stability of our infrastructure and preserving the system for future generations of riders.

To accomplish this work, the following service suspensions will take place during the weekends of April 11 - 12, April 18 - 19, and April 25 - 26:

• New Bedford/Fall River, Greenbush, and Kingston Line service will be suspended between South Station and Braintree (including at Quincy Center).
  
  • 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.
    
  • A dedicated diversion schedule will be available on MBTA.com/CR.

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