North Shore Commuter Rail Bus Shuttle Service To Start Saturday

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — North Shore commuter rail riders will need to switch to shuttle buses from Swampscott to North Station in both directions starting Saturday as part of a signal improvement work project.

The shuttle service runs through Dec. 10 with no stops at the Chelsea and River Works stations.

A diversion schedule will be in effect. The schedule is now available here.

The normal shuttle bus schedule between Lynn and Swampscott will be suspended as the diversion will include bus service to Lynn.

Buses will be accessible but bikes will not be allowed on board.

Buses will be free but passengers are expected to purchase regular fares for travel between Swampscott and their station of origin/destination.

Normal train service will resume on Dec. 11.

The signal work is part of the Automatic Train Control implementation that sends signal indications to the train cab in addition to using physical signal lights alongside the tracks. These signals are part of the MBTA Positive Train Control System that alerts the engineer of potentially unsafe conditions.

If the crew does not respond to an alert, the system will automatically slow or stop the train.

ATC is an upgrade to the existing signal system and is required by the Federal Railroad Administration as part of the PTC System implementation.

The upgrades are in advance of the opening of the interim station in Lynn. The inbound platform of the temporary Lynn station will be on Ellis Street with the outbound platform on Friend Street.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)