Orange Line Shutdown Begins Friday

MALDEN, MA — The MBTA will begin its 30-day shutdown of the Orange Line on Friday at 9 p.m., marking the beginning of a difficult month of disruptions for would-be Orange Line riders across the region.

Just a matter of weeks after the state announced plans for the shutdown, and amid intense criticism, the MBTA has shared alternate options for commuters still needing to get into downtown Boston.

Commuter Rail: Officials are emphasizing the Commuter Rail as an option for riders needing express service into Boston.

The Haverhill Line north of the city will add a stop at Oak Grove station in Malden to its traditional route to North Station. Trains will run in 45-minute intervals on weekdays and are essentially free for use by anyone who displays a CharlieCard or CharlieTicket in zones 1, 1a and 2, which include stations as far north as Reading.

Shuttle Busses: Free shuttle buses will connect stations between Oak Grove and Government Center on the northern portion of the Orange Line. The shuttles will bypass part of downtown Boston before separately connecting stations between Forest Hills and Copley Square.

North-of-Boston mayors petitioned the MBTA earlier this month to add express routes from Malden and Medford into Boston. While that request didn’t fully come to fruition, an MBTA spokesperson told Patch this week that personnel will have the option to make a “real time” decision to run direct service to the downtown area if a particular station is getting too crowded and if the system has proper shuttle capacity.

Facing criticism for its initial shuttle bus plans, the MBTA on Thursday also announced a new Silver Line bus stop at the intersection of Surface Artery and Kneeland Street in Chinatown. A supplemental shuttle will run between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. and between 8 p.m. and 1 a.m. in 30-minute intervals between Government Center, Tufts Medical Center and Chinatown at the corner of Washington Street and Essex Street.

Accessible vans: Accessible van transportation will be available to riders at all Orange Line stations between Oak Grove and Government Center and Forest Hills and Copley. Riders can request van service from MBTA station staff.

The Ride, which is the MBTA’s door-to-door transit service for people with disabilities that prevent them from using fixed route options, will also be free for trips within 3/4 miles of the Orange Line.

Bikes: The city of Boston has announced plans to offer free Bluebike passes online or through the Bluebikes mobile app. Bike stations are located throughout Boston and surrounding communities.

Cities along the Orange Line route have set up some new bike lanes ahead of the shutdown. Multiple organizations are also planning group rides into Boston to help riders get comfortable with new routes and bike commutes.

Officials have warned against driving into Boston as an alternative to Orange Line travel, predicting severe traffic congestion on area roadways.

North of Boston, Malden officials rolled out a local Orange Line Closure Guide this week, inviting anyone with questions or concerns to call the city at 781-397-7000, option 0. Malden Police will be working with shuttle bus drivers to help keep them moving through the city, officials added.

In Melrose, Mayor Paul Brodeur discussed impacts and shutdown planning in a presentation with state legislators to the City Council on Monday. He noted traffic work involving Melrose Police. Officers will also be monitoring parking around area Commuter Rail stations, where there are some concerns about illegal overflow parking as Commuter Rail ridership potentially surges.

Communities further to the north, including Wakefield, Stoneham and Reading have shared additional guidance for residents who may face their own delays related to the Orange Line shutdown.

The Orange Line shutdown will run through Sept. 18, also coinciding with a lengthy shutdown of Green Line stops between Union Square and Government Center beginning on Aug. 22.

See the MBTA’s Rider’s Guide to Planning Ahead for a complete list of alternate route options.

READ MORE: MBTA To Temporarily Shut Down Green Line Extension