Green Line shutdown adds 25 minutes to Boston commutes
Signal upgrades force a weeklong partial closure, pushing riders onto shuttle buses and straining adjacent transit lines.
By Christopher Singh ·
A partial shutdown of the MBTA Green Line is adding at least 25 minutes to daily commutes for thousands of Boston residents this week.
Crews are completing signal upgrades inside the central subway tunnel. This work affects more than 30 stops across all four branches of the line. The construction runs through November 15.
Regular train service has been replaced by shuttle buses on affected segments. Riders report longer wait times and greater difficulty planning their routes. Haley Serene, a student who depends on the MBTA, noted that the shifting bus locations create daily confusion. Her travel time has increased by up to 30 minutes.
Micael Moreno, who commutes from Brighton to UMass Boston, experiences similar delays. He estimates the disruption adds 20 to 30 minutes to his trip. Moreno observed that the current weather makes the inconvenience easier to bear than it would be in winter.
The strain on the Green Line has spilled over to other routes. Mac Carvalho, CEO of My Authentic Colors, shared cellphone video from Saturday evening showing unusually dense crowds on the Orange Line near Jamaica Plain. He posted the clip to warn others that trains are packed beyond typical capacity.
Passengers are divided on the necessity and timing of the work. Michael Nevin questioned why more construction does not occur on weekends when ridership is lower. He acknowledged the work must happen eventually. Candy Schwartz, a regular rider, expressed understanding for the disruption. She emphasized that the infrastructure requires maintenance and crews are minimizing chaos where possible.
The MBTA advises passengers to expect delays of at least 25 minutes while shuttle buses operate. Riders are urged to allow extra time for their journeys until normal service resumes after November 15.
