5 Years of work in 30 days.
Orange and Green Line Closures. What You Need to Know.
Beginning Friday, August 19 at 9PM through Sunday, September 18, the Orange Line will be fully Closed. In addition to this, the Green Line from Union Square to Government Center will close for 28 days starting Monday, August 22.
Orange Line Closure
The Orange Line closure will accelerate projects to make the T safer and more reliable for riders specifically, it will address a maintenance backlog and planned construction investments that are all focused on improving safety and returning the system to a state of good repair. We will be doing
5 years of work in 30 days to make overall improvements to the Orange Line’s speed and efficiency.
Green Line Closure
The Green Line’s Union Square Branch closure will allow the T to perform final-phase construction work necessary to open the Medford Branch, which is now anticipated to open in fall 2022.
For a variety of alternative travel options during the Orange and Green Line closures, see below:
| Enhanced Commuter Rail Options Riders can simply show their CharlieCarc or CharleTicket to conductors to ride the Commuter Rail in Zones 1A, 1, and 2 on ALL Commuter Rall lines at no charge | Green Line Closure Shuttles Between Government Center and Union Square |
| North Side Oak Grove Malden Center North Station | The RIDE RIDE trips that begin and end within ¾ mile or the Orange Line will be free for RIDE users |
| South Side South Station Back Bay Ruggles Forest Hills | Alternative Bus Routes •SL5 enhanced service from Park Street to Downtown Crossing •39- Between Forest Hils and Back Bay •CT2-Ruggles route •Routes 92 and 93, servicing SullivanSuare-Downtown |
| Shuttles* Between Oak Grove and Haymarket, then on to Government Center Between Forest Hills and Back Bay, and then on to Copley *All shuttle buses are accessible. Accessible vans are also available upon customer request. See MBTA personnel or use a station call box to request a ride. | Bluebikes The City of Boston will offer free 30-day bluebikes passes See the MBTA Rider’s Guide for assistance with travel options and information to inform travel decisions. |
TRAVEL OPTIONS DURING ORANGE LINE SHUTDOWN
COMMUTER RAIL
Anyone can board a train at Commuter Rail stations within the City of Boston at no charge during the Orange Line shutdown. To board, show the conductor a CharlieCard or CharlieTicket. They do not need to have value on them, and you do not need to buy a pass or Commuter Rail ticket. This applies to all Zone 1A, 1, and 2 Commuter Rail stations outside the City as well. Visit mbta.com/commuter-rail for maps and schedules.
CharlieCards are available for free at all Boston Public Library branches and at City Hall on the first floor. Visit boston.gov/orange-line for the most up-to-date list of locations to pick up a free CharlieCard.
Commuter Rail service is available at the following Orange Line stations:
- Forest Hills (to Ruggles, Back Bay, and South Station)
- Ruggles (to Forest Hills OR Back Bay and South Station)
- Back Bay (to Ruggles and Forest Hills OR South Station)
- Oak Grove (to Malden Center and North Station)
- North Station (to Malden Center and Oak Grove)
The Needham, Providence /Stoughton, and Franklin/Foxborough Lines provide service to stations along the Orange Line. For information about accessibility on the commuter rail, visit mbta.com/accessibility/commuter-rail-guide. Visit boston.gov/orange-line to stay up-to-date!
FREE SHUTTLES
Orange Line shuttles will operate between Forest Hills and Back Bay /Copley as well as Oak Grove and State /Government Center. Take the Green Line between Government Center and Copley.
Shuttles should arrive every 45 seconds during peak hours. Plan for shuttles to take longer than traditional Orange Line travel times. All shuttle vehicles will be ADA compliant. Some buses will have lowered floors, but the majority will have rear entry lifts. Wheelchair-accessible vans will be available upon request.
BLUEBIKES
During the Orange Line shutdown, free 30-day Bluebikes passes will be available for all. You can use this pass for an unlimited number of 45-minute trips at no cost. We will have guaranteed bikes and docks at several Bluebikes stations. Sign up on bluebikes.com or in the mobile app. Visit bluebikes.com to see a map of stations.
DRIVING
If you are able, please refrain from driving during this time. We expect region-wide impacts to our traffic network because of this closure. By staying home, walking, biking, or taking transit instead, you are leaving room on the roads for people who must drive and first responders.
Visit boston.gov/orange-line to stay up-to-date!
