MBTA cutting some Red Line service for safety upgrades
BOSTON – The MBTA announced another round of service cuts for safety updates just days after a runaway Red Line train rolled into Braintree station.
Next week, there will be no Red Line train service between Braintree and JFK/UMass after 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday. Shuttle buses will run instead.
The shuttle buses will replace service for two consecutive weeks, between August 1–4 and August 8–11.
"I don't know if I'll be up to taking a bus. I will have to probably find alternative ways of getting to JFK," Red Line rider Jennifer Fernandez said Wednesday. "That's pretty frustrating."
The MBTA says this shutdown is part of the maintenance work agreed upon by federal regulators. The maintenance work will include tie replacement and track realignment.
"We know any diversions in service can be frustrating for riders, but these evening diversions allow us to address necessary track repairs and speed restrictions on the Braintree branch, which will lead to a faster trip for Red Line riders," MBTA GM Steve Poftak said.
The safety improvements come just days after an empty two car train rolled away from the rail yard in Braintree, going several hundred feet before workers could stop it. The T did not confirm any connection with that incident and the maintenance announced Wednesday.