MBTA Announces Schedule Updates for Wednesday, March 18

BOSTON – Following Tuesday’s implementation of service reductions, the MBTA is announcing additional revisions to service based on today’s ridership that reflect demand at specific times of day, on select rapid transit lines and bus routes.

Specifically, the MBTA will be adding Blue Line service in the morning, additional Green Line capacity on the E Branch, and additional service on certain key bus routes. 

The MBTA urges members of the public to travel only if absolutely necessary in keeping with Governor Baker’s declaration of a State of Emergency and efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 by engaging in social distancing.

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These additional revisions, which will take effect with the start of service on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, are in response to coordinated efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19.

“As we continue monitoring the situation, we are making adjustments to ensure we can provide service for essential trips in the safest manner possible,” said MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak. “We recognize that some employees in key industries, including those in the medical community, rely on the MBTA to get to their places of work and we’re committed to providing service to those folks who rely on the T. That said, service continues to operate at reduced levels in an effort to maintain a responsible balance between protecting our workforce and operating safe service.”

These changes are being made based on guidance from public health professionals with the principal goal of protecting the health and safety of MBTA employees and customers. The MBTA will continue to monitor and assess ridership needs as this situation evolves, with a particular focus on workforce access for hospitals and food distribution locations operated by the City of Boston.

The MBTA will continue to track customer volumes and make service adjustments accordingly while continuing to meet the needs of customer demand and supporting social distancing. 

A comprehensive list of schedule changes can be found at mbta.com/coronavirus. 

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Rapid Transit: 

Effective with the start of service on the morning of Wednesday, March 18, Blue Line service will be increased from today’s levels to reflect ridership demand.

Outside of these changes, Blue Line trains throughout the day will continue to arrive approximately every nine to thirteen minutes.

On the Orange Line, trains will continue to arrive at approximately every nine to eleven minutes.

On the Red Line between Alewife and JFK/UMass Stations, trains continue to be expected to arrive approximately every seven minutes. Red Line trains on the Ashmont and Braintree branches will run approximately every fourteen minutes.

In response to reports of heavy passenger volumes on the Green Line E branch and to further support workforce access to area hospitals in the Longwood Medical Area, service will be added to the E branch specifically with more frequency seen between Prudential and Heath Street Stations. Green Line B, C, and D branch trolleys will continue to run every seven to thirteen minutes with more frequent service on the trunk.

Bus: 

MBTA buses will continue to operate on a Saturday schedule, though frequency (especially during the early morning and AM peak hours) will be added beginning tomorrow based on reports today of heavy ridership during certain times on certain routes.

Route 710 will operate regular weekday service beginning tomorrow. Routes 7, 501, and 504 will continue to operate modified weekday service.

Select express bus routes 325, 326, 351, 352, and 354 will continue to operate according to regular weekday schedules.

Ferry: 

Ferry service continues to be cancelled until further notice. Ferry customers who board at the Hingham and Hull terminals are encouraged to use West Hingham or Nantasket Junction Stations on the Greenbush Commuter Rail Line as an alternative.  

Commuter Rail: 

All Commuter Rail lines will operate on reduced schedules, which can be found at mbta.com. On all lines, Commuter Rail schedules are being modified to support targeted periods of peak travel while providing options for off-peak travel throughout the day. 

The RIDE: 

The MBTA will continue to operate full service on the RIDE. The MBTA encourages RIDE customers to plan their trips accordingly and follow the guidance of public health officials while in close contact with older adults or people with underlying health issues. 

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CharlieCard Store: 

The MBTA’s CharlieCard Store is located at 7 Chauncy Street within Downtown Crossing Station. Normal hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. In the event that hours of operation change, customers should check MBTA.com for updated service hours.

In addition to encouraging good hygiene practices and social distancing, the MBTA is continuing its enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols, which includes: 

·       Disinfecting all fleet vehicles – buses, trolleys, subway cars, Commuter Rail coaches, ferries, and RIDE vehicles – every twenty-four hours;

·       Disinfecting all MBTA customer business site locations, including the RIDE Eligibility Center, every twenty-four hours;

·       Cleaning all high-contact surfaces such as handrails, fare gates, and fare vending machines in subway stations once every four hours.

The MBTA continues to follow guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, with the MBTA encouraging its riders and the public to:

·       Wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least twenty seconds;

·       Cover coughs and sneezes;

·       Stay home if sick;

·       Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth;

·       Clean areas that are frequently touched with sanitizing spray or wipes.

MBTA riders and Massachusetts residents are encouraged to visit mass.gov/COVID19 for information on COVID-19 and mass.gov/KnowPlanPrepare for additional preparedness tip