MBTA Red Line Service Disrupted by Week-Long Shuttle Bus Replacement

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has announced a significant disruption to its Red Line service, effective from Sunday, November 17, to Sunday, November 24. During this period, shuttle buses will replace train services between Harvard and Broadway stations to facilitate track maintenance and address slow zones as part of the city’s Track Improvement Plan.

The maintenance work is aimed at eliminating 191 speed restrictions by the end of 2024. Starting at 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 17, and continuing until November 23, train services at several stations, including Harvard, Central, Kendall/MIT, Charles/MGH, Haymarket, State, Park Street, Downtown Crossing, South Station, and Broadway, will be replaced with free shuttle buses. On November 24, the shutdown will extend to stations from Harvard to JFK/UMass.

Shuttle buses will operate every 15 minutes between Harvard and South Station on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. However, there will be no direct shuttle bus service to or from Park Street and Downtown Crossing during the closure. Riders are advised to use shuttle stops at Haymarket or State instead.

To mitigate the impact, the MBTA has made Commuter Rail services fare-free between Porter Square and North Station, as well as between Braintree and South Station. Commuters are strongly advised to budget extra travel time and consider using the Commuter Rail as an alternative.