REMINDER: Orange Line Service Suspended Between Oak Grove and Ruggles October 26 – 27, Between Oak Grove and North Station October 28 – November 1 | News

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 Oak Grove and Ruggles October 26 – 27 and between Oak Grove and North Station October 28 – November 1 to accomplish Track Improvement Program work. The MBTA recently removed 20 speed restrictions on the Orange Line following work earlier this month with remaining restrictions on the line anticipated to be removed following this upcoming service suspension.

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

Alt text: Shuttle graphic for Orange Line weekend closure

October 26 – 27:
- Between Oak Grove and Ruggles
  - Free and accessible shuttle buses will make stops between Oak Grove and North Station. Free and accessible shuttle buses will also make stops between Ruggles and Back Bay as well as Copley on the Green Line.
    - Riders should note that there will be no shuttle bus service between North Station and Back Bay. 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.
  - Fare gates will be open for free service at Ruggles and Copley.
  - Riders are also encouraged to consider the Commuter Rail for fare-free service between South Station and Forest Hills as well as fare-free service between Oak Grove and North Station.

October 28 – November 1:
- Between Oak Grove and North Station
  - Free and accessible shuttle buses will make stops between Oak Grove and North Station.
  - Riders are also encouraged to consider the Haverhill Commuter Rail Line for fare-free service between Oak Grove, Malden Center, and North Station.
Riders using shuttle buses during these service changes should budget ample extra travelling time. For example, a rider travelling to Downtown Crossing from Oak Grove should budget at least an additional 60 minutes of travel time in addition to their regular commute. Again, riders are strongly encouraged to consider the fare-free Haverhill Commuter Rail Line during these service changes.
Haverhill Commuter Rail Line trains operate about every 45 minutes during the weekdays. Travelling between Oak Grove and North Station is about 20 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 between Oak Grove and North Station. 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. This weekend service change is extended to Ruggles on October 26 – 27 to also accommodate critical signal work between Back Bay and Ruggles. 

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: