MBTA releases plan for Orange Line shutdown
BOSTON - The MBTA has released its plan for the Orange Line shutdown, The Rider's Guide to Planning Ahead, which offers alternative travel options for 20 Orange Line stations that will be affected by the shutdown.
The four stops that will not have shuttle buses are Tufts Medical Center, Chinatown, Downtown Crossing and State. All of those stations will be serviced by shuttle vans.
In addition, Tufts will be serviced by Silver Line 4 and 5 with additional buses; Chinatown will be serviced by the Green Line at Boylston Street and Silver Line 4 and 5; Downtown Crossing will be serviced by the Green Line at Park Street and Silver Line 4 and 5 and State will be serviced by the Blue Line at Government Center.
In addition to shuttles, Forest Hills, Ruggles, Back Bay, North Station, Malden Center and Oak Grove also have Commuter Rail service. Rides on the Commuter Rail within Boston will be free. Riders simply show their Charlie Card but will not be charged.
Riders will also be able to use the MBTA Trip Planner Tool to identify the best route from their specific location.
In preparation for the Orange Line shutdown, the city of Boston has created a webpage dedicated to the shutdown and announced that the city will offer free 30-day passes to the city's bike share program during the shutdown.
The webpage offers information about the shutdown, alternate forms of transportation, and information for students who use the T to attend Boston Public Schools.
Boston's Chief of Streets Jascha Franklin-Hodge tweeted that the city has been preparing for the shutdown.
End-of-week Orange Line Shutdown Update: We’re making good headway on our preparations. Here is what we’ve been focused on: 🧵
— Jascha Franklin-Hodge (@jfh) August 12, 2022
The city has also announced that the city's Bluebikes program will offer free 30-day passes during the shutdown. The passes will provide unlimited 45-minute bike rides.
"Expanding access to bicycles is just one way the City is working to provide alternate routes of travel during this unprecedented shutdown," said Mayor Michelle Wu.
On Thursday, Boston and MBTA officials rode shuttle buses to test a possible alternative route for the shutdown and on Friday shuttle buses continued to run trial routes.
The Orange Line will shut down for massive upgrades, starting August 19. It's expected to re-open to riders on Monday, September 19.