A portion of the MBTA Red Line will be closed for the next 16 days, affecting about 44,000 riders, as crews work to replace some of the oldest routes in the T system.
The T will suspend service on the Ashmont Branch between JFK/UMass and Ashmont stations and on the Mattapan Line between Ashmont and Mattapan stations from October 14-29 so crews can work to address existing speed restrictions .
Operations on both lines will resume on October 30.
During the work, free shuttle buses will replace train and trolley services. Buses run every 5-6 minutes during peak hours on weekdays and every 10-15 minutes during off-peak hours on weekdays and weekends.
In addition to the shuttle buses, there will also be other options for those impacted by the closure, according to Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.
“We are doing this in a way that takes into account that residents need other alternatives,” Wu said.
“The safety of the MBTA system is paramount, and this 16-day closure will allow us to address many of the Red Line’s worst speed restrictions much more quickly than we were able to do during night and weekend work.” said MBTA Executive Director and CEO Phillip Eng.
The two companies will also make Fairmont’s commuter line free and make Bluebikes more accessible.
A portion of the Red Line will close for two weeks in October, the MBTA said Thursday.
According to the MBTA, the Ashmont branch serves about 40,000 riders daily and the Mattapan line serves another 3,700.
“It’s annoying. I work with a guy who’s from Quincy and it takes him an hour to get here. I live close by but it still takes 20 minutes and it begs the question of how long it will take until this Red Line is up and running?” said Red Line rider Colin Murphy.
“Although this service change will be challenging for our passengers, they have told me they appreciate our commitment to improving their journeys,” said General Manager Eng.
This shutdown will allow crews to replace rails, ties and ballast to improve reliability and reduce maintenance needs.
Once the work is completed, the MBTA says 28 speed limits will be relaxed in the area, which will significantly improve travel times for Ashmont Branch and Mattapan Line riders – northbound travel time from Ashmont to Park Street, 7 minutes from Ashmont to Park Street, will be shortened by about 9 minutes on the south side and about a minute in each direction between Ashmont and Mattapan.
Some drivers say they are skeptical that these repairs will make the ride faster and smoother, adding that they know for certain that their morning commutes have now become much more complicated.
“I have to get on the bus and then take the bus down all the stops on the back roads to get here and it’s really going to suck,” one Red Line rider shared.
The T said it will seek to identify additional work opportunities along both routes during the shutdown to improve the rider experience through station improvements, including painting, pressure washing and lighting fixture repairs; vegetation removal; the elimination of tripping hazards; and accessibility improvements.
For more information about the Red Line project, visit www.mbta.com/RLT, email the project team at [email protected] or call MBTA Customer Service at 617-222-3200. Riders can also sign up for T-Alerts or follow the MBTA on X @MBTA for the latest service information.