Local News

‘We’ve only just begun’: Orange Line transitions from 40 mph to 55 mph as its top speed

According to the MBTA, the change marks the first time the Orange Line has been documented reaching 55 mph, despite parts of the line being originally designed for the higher speed.

August 25, 2025

1 minute to read

Commuters on the Orange Line can expect faster travel on select portions of the line as of Sunday, with the trains now able reach 55 mph due to infrastructure improvements, MBTA officials announced Monday,

Orange Line trains traveling between Oak Grove and Assembly Station are now able to reach 55 mph, when previously, the maximum speed on the line was capped at 40 mph for safety reasons, the T said.

According to the transit agency, more than 20 years of records indicate that Orange Line trains never reached “speeds this fast” even though the stretch between Assembly and Oak Grove was originally designed for 55 mph. Declining track infrastructure prompted the lowering of the limit to 40 mph.

Speed restrictions were eliminated on the Orange Line in 2024.

In a statement, MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng thanked the public for patience during service diversions to allow for infrastructure improvements.

“We’ve only just begun,” he said.

Gov. Maura Healey credited Eng’s leadership for the new record.

“This milestone is a result of our investments in the T’s efforts to hire more workers and fix the tracks,” she said. “Now, they’ve not only removed slow zones — they’re increasing speeds. This means faster, smoother commutes for riders and allows them to spend more time with family and friends, cooking a meal, taking the dog for a walk or catching a ball game.”

According to the MBTA, as part of the organization’s Track Improvement program between 2023 and 2024, more than 250,000 feet of rail was replaced across the system and more than 220 speed restrictions were removed.