REMINDER: Orange Line Service Suspended for 13 Days Between Forest Hills and Back Bay October 8 – 20, Suspension Extended Between Forest Hills and North Station October 12 – 14

Updated October 7, 2024*

This notice serves as a reminder of the upcoming Orange Line closure previously announced on September 18. 

Following up on the previous announcement on September 18, the MBTA is today reminding riders that Orange Line service will be suspended between Forest Hills and Back Bay October 8 – 20 with the service suspension extended between Forest Hills and North Station October 12 – 14.  

Riders can find more information at mbta.com/OrangeLine. More information on these service changes and alternate travel options is below: 

• October 8 – 11, October 15 – 20:
   
  • Between Forest Hills and Back Bay
     
    • Free and accessible shuttle buses will make stops between Forest Hills and Back Bay as well as Copley on the Green Line. 
       
    • Riders are also encouraged to consider the Commuter Rail for fare-free service between Forest Hills, Ruggles, Back Bay, and South Station. 
       
• October 12 – 14: 
   
  • Between Forest Hills and North Station
     
    • Free and accessible shuttle buses will make stops between Forest Hills and Back Bay as well as Copley on the Green Line.
       
      • Riders should note that there will be no shuttle bus service between Back Bay and North Station. Riders are encouraged to utilize parallel Green Line service between North Station and Copley for travel through the downtown area. The MBTA will increase Green Line service during this time to accommodate anticipated increases in ridership.
         
    • Riders are also encouraged to consider the Commuter Rail for fare-free service between Forest Hills, Ruggles, Back Bay, and South Station. 
       
• Riders using shuttle buses during these service changes should budget ample extra travelling time. For example, a rider travelling to Downtown Crossing from Forest Hills should anticipate an extra 40 minutes in addition to their regular commute. Again, riders are strongly encouraged to consider the fare-free Commuter Rail during this service change. 
   
• Commuter Rail trains operate about every 30 minutes during morning and evening peak periods. Travelling between Forest Hills and Back Bay on the Commuter Rail is about 10 minutes. Commuter Rail schedules are available at mbta.com.

This service change is in place to support critical work as part of the MBTA’s Track Improvement Program. The Track Improvement Program will replace tracks and ties to alleviate speed restrictions along the line while crews maximize the outage by performing signal work and station amenity upgrades, including new lighting, painting, tiling, power washing, and more. 

The MBTA understands how these service changes affect riders’ daily travels during this period, but we are committed to improving your travels long term with more reliable, timely, and safe service. We thank riders for their patience as we deliver this important work and for continuing to ride our system. 

More information is also available through in-station signage and public announcements. Transit Ambassadors and MBTA staff will be available on-site to offer information and assistance during these service changes. Riders are encouraged to subscribe to T-Alerts or to follow the MBTA on X @MBTA for up-to-date service information. 

Riders are also encouraged to connect with MBTA staff at upcoming Track Improvement Program pop-up events and virtual public meeting. Events through the end of the year are below: 

• Tuesday, October 1 
  • Virtual 
  • 6 PM – 8 PM 
  • More information is at mbta.com/events 
     
• Thursday, October 31 
  • Station Pop-Up 
  • Broadway Station 
  • 8 AM – 10 AM  
     
• Tuesday, December 3 
  • Station Pop-Up 
  • Medford/Tufts 
  • 4 PM – 6 PM 

* On October 7, the above text was updated to include a link to Commuter Rail schedules available during this upcoming service change.

More Information