Massachusetts Transit Authority temporarily changes service for Blue Line and Orange Line trains during August, with replacement buses for a duration of 9 days on the Blue Line, and alterations for 3 weekends on the Orange Line.
In a bid to improve the safety, reliability, and resilience of its services, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has announced several major track and infrastructure upgrades, resulting in temporary service disruptions on the Blue, Orange, and Fitchburg Lines.
Impact on Commute Times
Riders should anticipate additional travel time during these upgrades. Those using the free shuttle buses between Airport and Wonderland stations on the Blue Line, which will replace train service during the nine-day outage from August 9 to August 17, 2025, are advised to allow an extra 20 to 30 minutes of travel time compared to normal commutes.
Blue Line trains operating on the unaffected section between Bowdoin and Airport stations will run approximately every 8 minutes, which is about double the usual frequency, leading to some delays and waiting time.
Affected Stations
All Blue Line stations between Airport and Wonderland will be affected by the closure, with no train service in this section during the nine-day outage. Stations beyond Airport (towards Bowdoin) and before Wonderland (towards Bowdoin) will remain operational with limited train service.
Alternate Service Options
The MBTA will provide free and accessible shuttle buses that will run between Airport and Wonderland, stopping at every closed station and providing replacement service. Riders are encouraged to consider using bicycles as an alternative, with a special code (MBTABLUE825) available for five free Bluebikes unlocks during the closure.
Additional transit options during MBTA shutdowns can include the Green Line, Commuter Rail, and increased shuttle service on other lines for affected riders.
Orange and Fitchburg Line Disruptions
The Orange Line will have scheduled interruptions on weekends in August due to signal upgrade work between Wellington and Back Bay stations. The Lowell Line will be replaced by shuttle service on August 15-16 and August 22-23 to enable work on the "High Line Bridge Replacement Project."
The Fitchburg Line will be closed the weekends of August 16 and 23 due to the "North Station Terminal Area Signal System Improvement Project." During its closure, existing Red and Green Line service will serve as replacement.
Commuter Rail Fare-Free Service
To mitigate the impact of these disruptions, the Commuter Rail will offer fare-free service from Oak Grove to North Station and from Forest Hills to South Station during the specified periods.
MBTA's Commitment
The MBTA acknowledges the planned disruptions will affect riders' daily travels but is committed to improving the long-term riding experience with more reliable, timely, and safe service. Riders are encouraged to check the MBTA's website for real-time updates and service advisories.
The MBTA thanks riders for their patience as they deliver this important work and for continuing to ride their system.
- To complement the train service disruption, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) will provide free and accessible shuttle buses that will run between Airport and Wonderland stations on the Blue Line, operating as replacement service.
- In an attempt to alleviate the effects of the Orange Line and Fitchburg Line disruptions, the Commuter Rail will offer fare-free service from Oak Grove to North Station and from Forest Hills to South Station during specified periods.
- Beyond train service disruptions, riders are encouraged to explore alternative transportation options such as the Green Line, Commuter Rail, and increased shuttle service on other lines during MBTA shutdowns, as well as using bicycles with a special code available for free rides during the closure.
