The first MBTA shutdown of 2024 is over. How did it go for you?
Plus, if you're a Red Line rider, tell us what your commute will look like in February.
Green Line service resumed for riders Monday after a nearly month-long shutdown of all four branches of the subway line, bringing commuters much needed relief from shuttle bus transfers and general commuting blues.
The first round of closures — which involved the entire line except the Green Line extension— ran from Jan. 3 until Jan. 12. The second round took place from Jan. 16 through Jan. 28.
The closures were put in place as part of the MBTA’s plan to remove all slow zones on subway lines by 2024, which the MBTA said have been ongoing for years.
“By restoring our tracks, we are addressing the root causes of the speed restrictions that have accumulated over decades,” MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng said in a statement. “Our efforts to rebuild track infrastructure across the Red, Orange, Blue, and Green Lines will improve train speeds substantially, reduce delays and disruptions, enhance safety, and deliver timely, reliable, and consistent service for riders.”
But a shuttle bus-free commute won’t last long.
Shutdowns are expected to resume in February, starting with the Red Line. Service will be suspended between Alewife to Harvard stations from Feb. 5 through Feb. 14, the agency said.
The Green Line will experience shutdowns again in late February. From Feb. 20 through March 8, service will be suspended between Copley and the following station stops: Cleveland Circle on the C branch, Babcock Street on the B branch, and Brookline Hills on the D branch.
There are a total of 191 existing speed restrictions as of Nov. 6, according to the agency. This year, the program aims to address 39 speed restrictions to continue reducing travel times.
The agency hopes to update more than 27,900 railroad ties and 124,880 feet of track by the end of 2024 to improve safety and reliability.
How did your January 2024 commute go and what do you think it will look like in February?
For commuters on the Green Line: How did your January 2024 commute go? Did you leave earlier than usual? Did your commute take longer or shorter with the shuttle buses? Did you forego public transportation altogether, and take alternative modes of transportation?
Red Line riders: How will you be affected by the upcoming shutdowns? How do you expect your commute will change, if at all, by the service interruptions?
Tell us by filling out the form or e-mailing us at [email protected], and your response may appear in a future Boston.com article.
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