Orange Line trains delayed after vandalism
BOSTON – There were long delays on the MBTA Orange Line Wednesday after several trains were vandalized.
As Astrid Martinez got ready for her Orange Line trip home Wednesday evening, she was still thinking about her miserable ride to work this morning.
"That's never a nice way to start your day," Martinez said. "When I got on the train it was very packed, people were kind of shoving and arguing, there was not enough space it was like sardines."
That's because the T was running with three fewer trains on the Orange Line for most of Wednesday after vandals hit overnight, smashing out multiple windows at the Wellington T yard.
The result was wait times twice as long as normal and almost no breathing room onboard.
"People were aggravated because the first train that showed up was so packed that nobody could get on it," said Orange Line passenger Christian Hallinan. "The second train 15 minutes later was equally packed."
"I've got to say I've been working from home for a while just getting back into the commute and I didn't miss that," Hanna Orzechowski said.
The MBTA is under the federal microscope to improve safety and performance, but is struggling with financial problems amid the vast drop off in ridership triggered by the pandemic.
"I do think the MBTA should have more money to be able to respond to these situations faster," Martinez said. "It should be getting more funding."
Regular service was restored on the Orange Line at about 5:30 p.m.
