Orange Line 30-Day Shutdown: 'We've Never Had To Do This'

BOSTON — The Orange Line will shut down for 30 days beginning Aug. 19 for what Gov. Charlie Baker called "overdue critical maintenance" during a Wednesday news conference informing commuters of the "unprecedented" closure.

This seemingly sudden decision comes on the heels of an investigation launched by the Federal Transit Administration which is making the MBTA address safety concerns on the rails immediately.

All service to the Orange Line will stop at 9 p.m. on Aug. 19 and is expected to resume service by 5 a.m. Sept. 19.

The MBTA has approved a contract with A Yankee Line Inc. for up to $37 million to ensure shuttle services will be in place to keep T riders moving when the shutdown actually happens.

Baker says a contract has been put in place to get up to 200 buses, right now planning on 160, with the remainder going to the Green Line, but urged riders to utilize the Commuter Rail whenever possible.

"The T was underfunded for decades, but even after updates it still faces significant challenges," Baker said at Wellington Station Wednesday. "This 30-day period will be the longest service disruption seen by the MBTA."

MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak and MassDOT secretary Jamey Tesler joined Baker to discuss the "accelerated infrastructure upgrades to the MBTA to improve service, safety, and reliability for riders."

"We will be allowing all Zone 1, 1A and 2 fares to be paid by simply displaying a charlie card that connects to the Orange Line," Poftak said, adding that Needham and Providence Commuter Rail trains will be making some of the Orange Line's usual stops.

'We'll do outreach to colleges around the city, making sure students understand the alternatives," Poftak said in regards to the incoming semester. "It's making sure people have the information they need to be sure they have the means to travel."

"There is a constant tension that always exists between hours of operation on the tracks and hours available to work on the track," Baker added after a reporter asked why this decision was happening now. "We decided to do it during the summer so we can work on this, uninterrupted for 24 hours a day - we wouldn't be doing this without the FTA."

Baker says the closure will allow the T to plan repairs and updates like crossovers and technical track work beyond just where it carries riders.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu hinted last month that a major shutdown could be in the works for some part of the MBTA, citing a large amount of work needed to be done to ensure safety for passengers.

"We can't keep putting band aids on situations and trying to nibble around the edges," Wu said last month. "We have to get down to real fixes."

"They spent billions of dollars on thousands of products to invest in the core system," Baker said, promising that this will give the T an opportunity to deliver better service. "I think the big challenge is to do the best job we possibly can, making sure people have access, either through the Commuter Rail or shuttle - I have a lot of faith."

Baker says this work is vital and will result in improved service for riders, eliminating slowdowns and vowing to prevent further disruptions, "It's likely that once riders return in September, they'll be seeing an entire fleet full of new Orange Line trains that will provide them with more reliable, modern and safer service."

Poftak then took over, adding that when Orange Line riders return, the stations will be deep cleaned and commuters will "have a better ride than when they left."

"We understand that these are unprecedented circumstances," Poftak said. "We've never had to do this."

As of May 2022, approximately 102,358 passengers take the Orange Line on a weekly basis, the MBTA said. As the second most popular line on the MBTA, the only line with more passengers is the Red Line, with 129,050 passengers per week, while the Green Line services about 82,585 customers per week.

The MBTA is already under fire after the FTA investigation flagged the MBTA for safety features, ordering the rail system to take "immediate action," following the dragging death of a Red Line passenger who got his arm caught in a subway door and was dragged at least 100 feet back in April. Last month, about 200 passengers were on board an Orange Line train when it caught fire on the bridge over the Mystic River in Somerville.

Read more: Injured Passengers Escaping Orange Line Fire Sue MBTA: Law Firm

"The FTA has been doing what I consider to be a really appropriate and necessary soup to nuts review around safety," said Baker in response to the probe. "We are being very aggressive about implementing everything they come up with."

Anyone with questions regarding the new changes is urged to visit the MBTA website.

Related:

• Orange Line Train Catches Fire, Woman Jumps Out Window Into River
• MBTA Safety Under Review Following Red Line Dragging Death
• Dorchester Man Dies After Being Dragged By Red Line Train
• 9 Sent To Hospital After Escalator Incident At Back Bay Station
• Milton Man Dies After Falling From Stairs Near MBTA Station
• Red Line Service Resumes After Derailment At Broadway Station
• All New MBTA Orange Line Trains Pulled Out Of Service Thursday