MBTA faces test as more students, workers return after Labor Day amid Orange Line shutdown
BOSTON – MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak said they are monitoring Orange Line shuttle bus service on Tuesday, with the anticipation of higher ridership.
"Obviously this first day after Labor Day, more folks coming back to work, has been a particular challenge," Poftak said. "We're also keeping our eye on Thursday when the city of Boston returns its schoolchildren, many of whom take the MBTA. We are continuing to monitor the shuttle bus service we've been happy thus far with our performance."
He said just under 60% of the planned work is done on the Orange Line during the month-long shutdown.
Schools like Bunker Hill Community College are back in session Tuesday. Normally students use the Orange Line, but with the shutdown in its third week, they will have to navigate shuttle buses.
In addition, many are headed back to work as well.
In spots where the Orange Line overlaps with the Commuter Rail, the T is also adding more trains to make sure they can handle the traffic.
"I think we've seen increased volume, particularly on Commuter Rail. Our shuttles appear to be bearing up well, purely anecdotal at this point," said Poftak.
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker visited the Community College MBTA stop on Tuesday to check on how work is progressing during the ongoing Orange Line shutdown.
"I do believe that the progress to date is pretty consistent with expectations," he said.