For the first time in 15 years, the MBTA lifted all speed restrictions on the Orange Line following the conclusion of the Orange Line Project.
From October 8 to October 20, the Orange Line shut down its service between Forest Hills and Back Bay, with a one week extension to North Station. Over the two weeks, the Track Improvement Program made critical progress on the tracks, lifting 20 miles per hour speed restrictions, along with several repairs in the stations.
Between October 26 and November 1, the Orange Line further suspended service from Oak Grove to Ruggles and North Station. The Orange Line’s track team was able to replace approximately 17,500 feet of rail and repair 20,600 feet of track in the process, removing the rest of the nine miles per hour speed restrictions for the first time since 2010.
During the full shutdown, the MBTA provided shuttle bus services from Forest Hills and Copley station. The agency additionally recommended that Orange Line passengers affected by the maintenance to make use of the Commuter Rail fare-free service for quick transport from Forest Hills to Back Bay station. With Boston’s traffic, nonetheless, passengers were compelled to plan ahead for their daily commutes. Cecilia Carey (II) comments, “Alternatives are not better because Boston traffic is horrible. Sometimes I take the bus, but it is not any better […] it just takes longer.”
The Red Line has also faced ongoing shutdowns throughout the year to remove restrictions. This September, the Red Line suspended service between the JFK/UMass station and the Braintree station for 24 days. With unencumbered access to the tracks, workers were successfully able to remove 37 miles per hour speed restrictions across 18 miles of track.
Due to several accidents with MBTA trains in the past years, the agency imposed these speed restrictions in areas with worn-out tracks to ensure riders’ safety.
With many students across Boston relying on the Orange Line, the Red Line and other MBTA transportation, the closures have impacted some students’ daily commute and even their performance at school. “I usually get home at 3:00 P.M., but because of the closures, I get home at 3:30 P.M. instead,” shares Xin Wu (V).
Boston Latin School, in response, has partnered with the MBTA to provide charter buses for students extending across 14 routes. All Boston Public School students also have full access to an M7 student CharlieCard with unlimited passes to all MBTA subways. The School, additionally, has demonstrated flexibility with tardies when there are mass delays with the MBTA.
Assistant Head of School Jaffrie Perrotti sees the benefits in students who take public transportation, explaining, “I work mostly with the sixies, when we talk to the parents, our goal is to get them to [be] independent […] A student who […] takes public transportation has a huge, enormous, leg up on virtually any other suburban student from any other place because [they] have found a way to navigate it.”