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ORANGE LINE SUSPENSION: GUIDE TO RESOURCES

In order for the MBTA to accelerate major track and maintenance work, Orange Line service will be completely suspended from August 19th through September 18th. Downtown Boston BID staff have compiled and organized the following resources to supply Downtown visitors with key information regarding transit alternatives and more.

MBTA ANNOUNCEMENTS & INFO:

CITY OF BOSTON ANNOUNCEMENTS & INFO:

GREATER BOSTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INFO:

  • The GBCC’s Orange Line Resources page summarizes transit alternatives, links to charter bus operations run by GBCC members, and more.

TRANSIT ALTERNATIVES (MBTA & BLUEBIKES SYSTEMS):

  • MBTA shuttle buses & preexisting bus routes: the MBTA is running free shuttle buses during the shutdown from Oak Grove to Haymarket/Government Center, and from Forest Hills to Back Bay/Copley. For a map of the shuttle bus route, visit Planning Ahead (page 7), here. The MBTA encourages system riders to utilize the following preexisting bus lines: Routes 39, 43, 92, 93, CT2, and Silver Lines 4, 5. For more information and links to these routes, visit Alternative Travel Options (page 9), here.
  • Boston’s BlueBikes program: the City is offering FREE (30-day pass) Bluebikes usage during the entire Orange Line shutdown. Visit here for the press release and here for the BlueBikes page showing a map of the program’s rental kiosks in Downtown.
  • The Providence commuter rail line will continue to service its preexisting shared Orange Line stops—Ruggles and Back Bay. It is also adding inbound service at Forest Hills for the duration of the Orange Line shutdown.
  • The Needham commuter rail line will continue to service its preexisting shared Orange Line stops—Forest Hills, Ruggles, and Back Bay.
  • The Green Line’s core Downtown stops and its E Branch closely parallel the Orange Line’s core Downtown stops. Visit here for a Green Line map and schedules.