Public Service Announcement: MBTA Gears Up for South Boston’s Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade Celebration with Increased Service, Staff, and Safety Measures

Plan Ahead: T Offers Essential Safety Tips for Riders

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is preparing for the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade and festivities in South Boston on Sunday, March 17, 2024. With up to a million people expected to attend the parade, the MBTA is implementing several measures to accommodate the increased ridership and to remind the riding public what everyone can do to help maintain a safe and family-friendly environment for customers utilizing the MBTA.

“St. Patrick's Day is a time for celebration, and all of us at the MBTA are proud to do our part so everyone can enjoy the festivities safely,” said MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng. “We know how important public transit is and I would like to express my deepest gratitude to our hardworking employees who dedicate themselves to serving our community day in and day out. Our workforce is the backbone of our transit system, and they work tirelessly to ensure that our riders get to their destinations safely. Leave the driving to us, use caution when traversing the system, and let’s all celebrate St. Patrick’s Day together.”

Enhanced Security Measures & Safety Tips for Riders

The MBTA Transit Police Department, under the leadership of Chief Kenneth Green, will significantly increase uniformed officer presence throughout the system to deter crime and to respond swiftly to any incidents.

“We will be working closely with our law enforcement partners to ensure a secure environment for everyone who uses our public transit system,” said Chief Green. “We want everyone to remember, St. Patrick’s Day is a time for celebration, and it’s essential to prioritize safety and responsible behavior.”

The MBTA urges riders to celebrate responsibly, leave their vehicles at home, take public transportation to festivities, and follow these safety tips:

Drink responsibly; alcohol consumption and/or unruly behavior will not be tolerated on the MBTA transportation system.
Travel in groups and look out for one another.
Report any suspicious activity or individuals in distress to the nearest police officer, call the Transit Police at 617-222-1212, or dial 911. Additionally, riders can download the MBTA See Something Say Something App (See Say App).
Secure personal belongings, especially in crowded areas.
Follow the instructions of MBTA Transit Police officers and staff, who are there to ensure everyone's safety and maintain order.
Take care of yourself and others. Seek medical attention if necessary.
If you are wearing a backpack, remove it and hold it at your side or set it between your feet.
Let passengers off the train before you board.
Travel on the T without bikes. Bikes (including folding bikes) are not allowed on the MBTA at any time on March 17, the day of the parade.

The MBTA is stressing the importance of celebrating responsibly on public transit. Vandalism and disorderly conduct can create safety hazards, delays, and additional cleaning costs—which can divert valuable resources away from essential maintenance services and improvements that benefit all riders.

“The MBTA belongs to all of us. We strongly urge everyone to celebrate responsibly and refrain from engaging in any behavior that could damage property or disrupt the transit system,” noted Chief Operating Officer Ryan Coholan. “By working together and respecting our shared public spaces, we can ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday for all.”

Additional porters have been assigned to busy hubs, such as Broadway, Andrew, South Station, Downtown Crossing, Government Center, Park Street, Boylston, and Arlington stations, to proactively identify areas in need of cleaning, from sweeping and mopping floors, disposing trash, cleaning restrooms, wiping down surfaces, dusting furniture, and replenishing supplies. In preparation for a smooth start of service on Monday morning at 5 AM, crews in the overnight hours Sunday into Monday will deep clean stations.

Additional Service and Bus Route Detours

To manage anticipated peak ridership and minimize platform congestion, the MBTA will be deploying additional crowd management personnel throughout the system. These personnel will be strategically positioned to assist with passenger flow, boarding and disembarking, and to ensure a safe environment for everyone. The MBTA encourages all riders to be especially vigilant while using escalators and navigating stairs during periods of heavy foot traffic.

Shuttle Bus: The MBTA will provide complimentary shuttles from South Station to South Boston between 10:30 AM and 6 PM on the day of the parade.
Red Line: The Red Line will run rush hour service from 10 AM to 6 PM, with trains potentially bypassing Broadway station during certain times due to heavy crowds.
Bus Detours: Several bus routes, including Routes 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, and 47, will be detoured around the parade area.
Commuter Rail: Commuter Rail trains will run on a regular weekend schedule and with additional cars to accommodate parade attendees. Additional customer service and management staff will be available at South Station to answer any questions and assist customers.
- Between 10:30 AM and 6 PM, a free shuttle will provide service between South Station and South Boston.
- $10 Weekend Passes are valid for unlimited travel on all Commuter Rail lines in all zones on Saturday and Sunday. Riders are encouraged to buy them in advance with the mTicket app.
- Trains are expected to be crowded, so riders are advised to review this PDF for more information regarding crowding levels and preferred trains from South Station.

“Our top priority at Keolis is providing a safe ride for all passengers and crew on the Commuter Rail,” said CEO and General Manager of Keolis Commuter Services Abdellah Chajai. “We encourage parade-goers to leave their cars at home and take advantage of the train to reach the St. Patrick’s Day festivities in Boston. We expect high ridership and lots of crowds and encourage our riders to plan ahead and expect longer boarding lines. We look forward to welcoming passengers onto the Commuter Rail.”

For more information on transit services during the St. Patrick's Day parade, visit mbta.com/StPatricksDay.