MBTA Announces November Service Changes

Service changes are taking place to support Orange Line signal upgrades and modernization, Green Line Train Protection System installation, revitalization work on the Red Line, and Framingham/Worcester Line track, signal, and culvert work.

The MBTA today announced service changes in November on the Orange, Green, Red, and Framingham/Worcester 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

The MBTA will continue signal upgrade and modernization work on the Orange Line in November. By upgrading and modernizing its signals, the MBTA will significantly increase operational efficiency and improve scheduling reliability for riders.

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

• Orange Line service will be suspended between North Station and Forest Hills during the weekend of November 1 - 2.

• Free and accessible shuttle buses will make stops between Forest Hills and Back Bay as well as Copley on the Green Line.
  
  • Riders should note that there will be no shuttle bus service between Back Bay and North Station. Riders are encouraged to utilize parallel Green Line service between North Station and Copley for travel through the downtown area. The MBTA will increase Green Line service during this time to accommodate anticipated increases in ridership.
    
  • Riders are also encouraged to consider the Commuter Rail for fare-free service between Forest Hills, Ruggles, Back Bay, and South Station.
    
  • Accessible vans will be available at North Station and Tufts Medical Center, serving all stations between North Station and Back Bay as well as Copley on the Green Line.
    
  • Riders using the shuttles buses 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 additional to their regular commute.
    
• Orange Line service will be suspended between Back Bay and Forest Hills beginning at approximately 8:30 PM through the end of service on Friday, November 14, and continuing through the weekend of November 15 - 16.
  
  • Free and accessible shuttle buses will make stops between Forest Hills and Back Bay.
    
    • Riders are also encouraged to consider the Commuter Rail for fare-free service between Forest Hills, Ruggles, Back Bay, and South Station.

On the Green Line

The MBTA will continue work on the Green Line on the Union Square and Medford/Tufts branches in November to install Green Line Train Protection System (GLTPS) infrastructure. When complete, GLTPS will combine vehicle and wayside equipment to avoid train-on-train collisions, incorporate speed enforcement, and more.

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

• Green Line service will be suspended between Park Street and Union Square as well as Medford/Tufts beginning at approximately 8 PM through the end of service on Tuesday, November 4, and continuing for the following nine days, November 5 - 13.

• Riders are encouraged to budget additional travel time during this service change.
  
• Free and accessible shuttle bus service will replace trains between North Station and Medford/Tufts.
  
  • Riders using the shuttles buses should budget ample extra travel time. For example, a rider travelling to Park St from Medford/Tufts should budget at least an additional 45 minutes of travel in additional to their regular commute.
    
• There will be no shuttle bus service between Park Street and North Station. Riders can instead utilize parallel Orange Line service between North Station and Downtown Crossing for service through the downtown area.
  
  • Riders are reminded that Orange Line / Green Line connections can be made via the Winter Street Concourse, which connects Park Street and Downtown Crossing.
    
• Riders should note there will be no shuttle bus service to Union Square. Green Line Union Square Branch riders can instead use area bus routes:
  
  • Route 109 is the best alternative for riders. As a Frequent Bus Route operating every 15 minutes or better, the 109 operates between Union Square and East Somerville on the Medford Branch. Route 109 also connects to Sullivan Square on the Orange Line and to Harvard on the Red Line for a faster travel time to downtown Boston.
    
  • Riders may also utilize Route 91 between Union Square and East Somerville on the Medford Branch. The 91 also connects to Sullivan Square on the Orange Line and Central on the Red Line for a faster travel time to downtown Boston.
    
  • Riders may also utilize Route 87 between Union Square and Lechmere.
    
• Accessible van service will be available at Magoun Square. Riders can request this service by seeing onsite personnel.
  
• Cleveland Circle Branch riders should note that C Branch service will begin and terminate at Kenmore during this service change.

On the Red Line

In November, the MBTA will continue essential infrastructure upgrades, track renewal, and other critical revitalization work on the Red Line. Building on the success of the Track Improvement Program, 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 suspension will take place:

• Red Line Braintree Branch service will be suspended between North Quincy and Braintree for nine days, November 15 - 23.
  
  • Free and accessible shuttle bus service will replace trains between North Quincy and Braintree.
    
    • Riders using shuttle bus service should budget ample extra travel time. For example, a rider travelling to Park Street from Braintree should budget at least an additional 35 minutes of travel in additional to their regular commute.
      
  • Riders are strongly encouraged to use the Middleborough, Kingston, and Greenbush Commuter Rail lines for fare-free service between Braintree, Quincy Center, JFK/UMass, and South Station. Commuter Rail schedules are available on mbta.com/CR.
    
    • Commuter Rail trains operate about every 20 - 30 minutes.
      
    • Extra coaches will be added to the Middleborough, Kington, and Greenbush Commuter Rail lines to accommodate the anticipated increase in ridership.
      
    • Riders should note that regular Commuter Rail fares will be collected for travel beyond Braintree.

On the Framingham/Worcester Commuter Rail Line

The MBTA and Keolis will continue track and signal upgrade work on the Framingham/Worcester Commuter Rail Line in November, ensuring the Line's operational efficiency and reliability. Crews will also perform culvert upgrade work near Westborough.

• Framingham/Worcester Line service will be suspended between South Station and Framingham during the weekends of November 1 - 2 and November 8 - 9.
  
  • A dedicated diversion schedule will be available on mbta.com.
    
  • 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, Riverside on the Green Line D Branch for connections to the subway, 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, Riverside on the Green Line D Branch for connections to the subway, 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 Riverside.
      
    • Passengers who typically board at Lansdowne should instead travel to Kenmore (which is about a quarter mile or a six-minute walk) for shuttle bus service or to connect to the Green Line B, C, and D Branches for further Red Line connections toward South Station.
  • Passengers should also note that Commuter Rail service between Worcester and Framingham will be fare-free during this service change.
    
  • Passengers are encouraged to budget ample extra travelling time during these weekends. Express shuttle bus options operate up to 20 minutes longer when compared to regular Framingham/Worcester Line train service, and local shuttle bus options operate up to 70 minutes longer when compared to regular Framingham/Worcester Line train service
    
• Framingham/Worcester Line service will be suspended between Worcester and Framingham during the weekends of November 15 - 16 and November 22 - 23.
  
  • A dedicated diversion schedule will be available on mbta.com.
    
  • Free and accessible local and express shuttle bus service will replace trains between Worcester and Framingham:
    
  • Local Shuttle: Shuttle buses will make all stops between Worcester and Framingham: Worcester, Grafton, Westborough, Southborough, Ashland, and Framingham.
    
    • Passengers traveling between Worcester and Framingham on local shuttle buses should expect 40 extra minutes of travel time.
      
  • Express Shuttle: Shuttle buses will operate directly between Worcester and Framingham.
    
    • Express shuttle buses between Worcester and Framingham will arrive in about the same amount of time as regular train service.

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