MBTA Announces May Service Changes

Service changes are taking place in May to support signal work, GLTPS installation, essential infrastructure revitalization, Codman Yard improvements, and more.

The MBTA today announced service changes in May on the Red, Green, Blue, Mattapan, New Bedford/Fall River, Greenbush, Kingston, 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 Red Line

As previously announced, in May, the MBTA will perform final testing and commissioning work on the Red Line's new digital signal system, which will strengthen Red Line service reliability for riders. Pre-testing for the new signal system was completed weeks ahead of schedule earlier this month, and this upcoming work is one of the final steps to bringing the new system online. Tamping work will also take place on the Ashmont branch next month.

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

• Red Line service will be suspended between Broadway and Quincy Center on the Braintree branch for three consecutive days, May 2 - 4.

• • Free and accessible shuttle buses will operate between Broadway and Quincy Center.
    
  • Regular Ashmont branch service will operate between JFK/UMass and Ashmont, but riders will need to take shuttle bus service between Broadway and JFK/UMass.
    
  • Fare gates will be open at Broadway, JFK/UMass, and North Quincy.
    
  • Accessible van service will be available between Broadway and Quincy Center on Monday, May 4. Riders should see station personnel for assistance.
    
  • Riders are encouraged to consider Commuter Rail service between South Station and Braintree, which will be free during this service change. Regular fares should be purchased for travel beyond Braintree.
    
  • Riders using shuttles bus service should budget ample extra travel time. For example, a rider travelling to Park Street from Braintree should budget at least an additional 40 - 50 minutes of travel in additional to their regular commute.
    
• Red Line service will be suspended between Broadway and Ashmont on the Ashmont branch beginning at approximately 6 PM on Thursday, May 14, and continuing for the next four consecutive days, May 15 - 18.
  
  • Free and accessible shuttle buses will operate between Broadway and Ashmont.
    
  • Regular Braintree branch service will operate between JFK/UMass and Braintree, but riders will need to take shuttle bus service between Broadway and JFK/UMass.
    
  • Fare gates will be open at Broadway and JFK/UMass.
    
  • Riders should note that Mattapan Line service will also be suspended beginning at 6 PM on May 14 and on May 15 - 16. Additional details are below.
    
  • Accessible van service will be available between Broadway and Ashmont. Riders should see station personnel for assistance.
    
  • Riders using shuttles bus service should budget ample extra travel time. For example, a rider travelling to Park Street from Ashmont should budget at least an additional 30 - 40 minutes of travel in additional to their regular commute.
    
• Red Line service will be suspended between Broadway and Quincy Center on the Braintree branch and Broadway and Ashmont on the Ashmont branch for three consecutive days, May 29 - 31.
  
  • Free and accessible shuttle buses will operate between Broadway and Quincy Center and between Broadway and Ashmont.
    
  • Fare gates will be open at Broadway and Quincy Center.
    
  • Riders are encouraged to consider Commuter Rail service between South Station and Braintree, which will be free during this service change. Regular fares should be purchased for travel beyond Braintree.
    
  • Accessible van service will be available between Broadway and Ashmont as well as Broadway and Quincy Center. Riders should see station personnel for assistance.
    
  • Riders using shuttles bus service should budget ample extra travel time. For example, a rider travelling to Park Street from Braintree should budget at least an additional 40 - 50 minutes of travel in additional to their regular commute.

On the Green Line

The MBTA will continue the installation of critical Green Line Train Protection System (GLTPS) infrastructure on the C and E branches in May. 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 suspensions will take place:

• Green Line service will be suspended between Kenmore and Cleveland Circle for twelve consecutive days, May 6 - 17.

• • Free and accessible shuttle buses will replace service between Kenmore and Cleveland Circle.
    
  • Shuttle bus service will not be available at Saint Mary's Street, Kent Street, or Brandon Hall in both directions. Riders should instead utilize shuttle bus service at the next nearest stop.
    
  • Additional service will be added to the Green Line D branch during this time period. Riders who board or disembark at Cleveland Circle are encouraged to instead utilize D branch service at Reservoir, which is 0.1 miles away (or about a two- to three-minute walk).
    
  • Riders using shuttles bus service should budget ample extra travel time. For example, a rider travelling to Government Center from Cleveland Circle should budget at least an additional 15 minutes of travel in additional to their regular commute.
    
• Green Line service will be suspended between Government Center and Heath Street on the E branch for seven consecutive days, May 30 - June 5.
  
  • Riders can instead utilized parallel Route 39 bus service, which will be enhanced with additional service.
    
  • Riders using the Route 39 should budget ample extra travel time. For example, a rider travelling to Government Center from Heath Street should budget at least an additional 10 minutes of travel in additional to their regular commute.

On the Blue Line

During one weekend in May, the MBTA will continue essential infrastructure upgrades, track renewal, and other critical revitalization work on the Blue Line. 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 suspensions will take place:

• Blue Line service will be suspended between Bowdoin and Airport during the weekend of May 9 - 10.
  
  • Free and accessible shuttle buses will make stops at Airport, Maverick, and Haymarket for Orange and Green Line connections in the downtown area.
    
  • Shuttle buses will not stop at Aquarium, State, Government Center, or Bowdoin.
    
  • Fare gates will be open at all Blue Line stations between Airport and Wonderland.
    
  • Riders may also use the East Boston Ferry, which will be free during this service change with trips departing every 30 minutes from 6 AM to 9 AM, every 15 minutes from 9 AM to 9 PM, and a trip at 9:30 PM. A schedule will be posted soon at MBTA.com/EastBostonFerry.
    
  • Accessible van service will be available within the downtown area. Riders should see station personnel for assistance.
    
  • Riders using shuttles bus service should budget ample extra travel time. For example, a rider travelling to Government Center from Wonderland should budget at least an additional 30 - 40 minutes of travel in additional to their regular commute.

On the Mattapan Line

In May, there will be a weekend Mattapan service change to perform critical power work within the MBTA's Codman Yard facility.

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

• Mattapan Line service will be suspended between Ashmont and Mattapan beginning at approximately 6 PM on Thursday, May 14, and for the next two consecutive days, May 15 - 16.
  
  • Free and accessible shuttle buses will replace service between Ashmont and Mattapan.
    
  • Riders are also encouraged to utilize Fairmount Commuter Rail Line service at Blue Hill Avenue Station.
    
  • Riders should note that Red Line Ashmont branch service will also be suspended beginning at 6 PM on May 14 and on May 15 - 18. Additional details are above.
    
  • Riders using shuttles bus service should budget ample extra travel time. For example, a rider travelling to Ashmont from Mattapan should budget at least an additional 15 minutes of travel in additional to their regular commute.

On the New Bedford/Fall River, Greenbush, and Kingston Commuter Rail Lines

The MBTA will perform critical maintenance work on the Old Colony Lines during a weekend in May. 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:

• New Bedford/Fall River, Greenbush, and Kingston Line service will be suspended between South Station and Braintree (including at Quincy Center) during the weekend of May 9 - 10.
  
  • Passengers should instead utilize Red Line subway service between South Station and Braintree (via Quincy Center) for Commuter Rail connections beyond Braintree or Quincy Center.
    
  • Riders traveling to/from South Station should budget extra travel time. For example, a rider traveling to South Station from Braintree should budget at least 15 minutes of travel in addition to their regular trip time.
    
  • A dedicated diversion schedule will be available on MBTA.com/CR.

On the Framingham/Worcester Commuter Rail Line

The MBTA will perform critical infrastructure work on the Framingham/Worcester Line during one weekend in May.

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

• Framingham/Worcester Line service will be suspended between Worcester and Grafton during the weekend of May 16 - 17.

• • Free and accessible shuttle buses will replace service between Worcester and Grafton.
    
  • Riders using shuttles bus service should budget ample extra travel time. For example, a rider travelling to Grafton from Worcester should budget up to 20 minutes using the shuttle bus.
    
  • A dedicated diversion schedule will be available on MBTA.com/CR.

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