Local News

MBTA investigating derailed Green Line train that caused all-day delays

The Boston Fire Department responded and helped all 25 passengers off the train without any injuries. General Manager Phillip Eng said the MBTA would investigate the "root cause."

Lane Turner/Globe Staff

March 10, 2024

1 minute to read

The MBTA is investigating after a Green Line B Branch train derailed near Kenmore Station Saturday, the MBTA said, the day after the end of the three-branch closure for track work. Shuttles replaced service for almost eight hours before the train was “re-railed.”

Shuttle buses replaced service for the B, C, and D Branches of the Green Line to Copley Station from Feb. 20 through last Friday. The entire C Branch was closed, while portions of the B and D branches still had service.

The first day after the shutdown ended, the train derailed near Kenmore around 9 a.m. Saturday morning, the MBTA shared on X. B Branch riders took shuttles between Babcock Street and Copley. C and D Branch trains also ended at Kenmore.

The Boston Fire Department responded and helped all 25 passengers off the train without any injuries, the T said.

In a statement, MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng said multiple test trains had already run through the station prior to reopening the Green Line, and 70 trains with passengers successfully ran between the start of service at 5 a.m. and the 9 a.m. derailment.

“We understand the frustration this incident caused for riders, particularly those who have been awaiting the return of service during construction,” Eng said. “This incident underscores the importance of our ongoing efforts to enhance the reliability and resilience of the MBTA system following decades of underinvestment.”

After multiple updates throughout the day, the MBTA announced around 4:30 p.m. that the train had been re-railed, but shuttle service would continue. At 5:15, regular service resumed.

Eng said the MBTA will investigate the root cause of the derailment and update with the results this week.

The Green Line wasn’t the only line delayed on Saturday. The Orange Line began shuttle service at 5:30 p.m. between Forest Hills and Back Bay until around 8 p.m. The T said that downed Amtrak catenary wires near Ruggles caused the delay.

The Red Line was also delayed for 15 minutes due to a disabled train at Downtown Crossing for an hour and half.