MBTA's shuttle buses run through practice routes before Orange Line shutdown
BOSTON - Shuttle buses ran through practice routes Friday, hours before the MBTA shuts down the Orange Line for a month for repairs.
The 180 large buses will replace train service starting at 9 p.m. when the unprecedented closure begins. The T is spending $37 million on the buses and drivers that are coming in from around the country.
The drivers have been learning how to navigate very wide turns on the city's narrow streets.
State Rep. Michael Connolly was among a group of legislators who were onboard a trial run. He said it took about 40 minutes to go from Government Center to Oak Grove while stopping at all the stops. "It will only be worse during rush hour," he said.
"I could envision shuttles arriving at a station and already being full. It happens all the time on MBTA cars, but if it's happening here it's not acceptable," Connolly said.
"It's not perfect so I'm not too thrilled on that, especially for people with disabilities or can't walk that far," said State Rep. Steven Ultrino. "We need an express bus, we need more on the commuter rail, we just need more."
Today, we took @MikeConnollyMA, @senjehlen, @repdonato, @RepUltrino & other stakeholders on a ride along as we test drove the Orange Line north side shuttle route. This allowed elected officials to experience the shuttle in real-time & see where municipalities have provided help. pic.twitter.com/gZeaUbe26k
— MBTA (@MBTA) August 19, 2022
Transit authorities had a final warning Friday morning for Boston area riders, drivers, bikers and walkers - plan ahead and plan extra time for your commute for the next several weeks.
"We do not want to portray this as an easy month. But we do believe in the end, after we ask for everyone's patience, we ask for everyone's support, and we ask for your willingness to continue to give us feedback so we can get this right. We believe in the long run this will be worth it," MassDOT Secretary and CEO Jamey Tesler told reporters.
The MBTA has suggested several travel options for Orange Line commuters:
- Work from home
- Commuter rail
- Walk or bike
- Other MBTA lines
- Shuttle bus
MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak said his full intent is that this shutdown only lasts the 30 days it is planned for.
The main project in that time will be replacing and repairing the tracks along the Orange Line for a safer and faster ride once it reopens.