Busy North Shore Commuter Rail Station Closing Date Set

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — More than two months after the Lynn Commuter Rail station was scheduled to close indefinitely for renovations, the MBTA has set a date to shut down operations at the busy North Shore stop.

The MBTA said on Friday that the station will close on Oct. 1.

The MBTA said earlier this summer it was moving up the Lynn station closure —originally set for Spring 2023 — because of deteriorating conditions of the station and associated infrastructure, and to accelerate the station rehabilitation project.

But after an outcry from public officials and commuters, the MBTA pushed the pause button on the shutdown just as the station was set to close on July 25.

The MBTA said on Friday that passengers may use free shuttle bus service from Lynn to Swampscott until a temporary platform is built at Lynn. The MBTA added that Lynn riders using Zone 2 tickets may board in Swampscott, even though it's a Zone 3 station — the relative discount would appear to apply to anyone boarding in Swampscott using a Zone 2 ticket.

The MBTA said the closing is indefinite and is part of the $74 million Lynn Commuter Rail Station Improvements Project.

While the MBTA outlined several bus and subway alternatives for typical Lynn boarders, the closest is the Swampscott station, which MBTA officials note is about 1.5 miles (or ideally a five-minute drive) from the Lynn station.

The Salem station, which provides substantially more parking, is about five miles away from the Lynn station.

The parking garage at the Lynn station will be demolished as part of the renovation but will remain open until Spring 2023.