đ Orange Line: Shuttle buses will replace service between Back Bay and Forest Hills from February 28 - March 8, for signal upgrades.
Accessibility: All shuttle buses will be accessible.
Fare-Free Commuter Rail Alternative: Riders can use the Franklin/Foxboro, Needham, or Providence/Stoughton Lines fare-free for service between Forest Hills, Ruggles, Back Bay and South Station. The trip between Forest Hills and Back Bay on the Commuter Rail is approximately 10 minutes. Regular fares will apply to travel beyond Forest Hills.
Travel Time: Riders using shuttle bus service should budget extra travel time. For example, a rider traveling to Downtown Crossing from Forest Hills should allow for at least 30 minutes of travel in addition to their regular commute.
Shuttle Bus Stops:
Back Bay: Northbound/Southbound - Back Bay Station (165 Dartmouth St)
Massachusetts Avenue: Northbound - Columbus Ave @ Mass Ave (584 Columbus Ave) Southbound - Columbus Ave @ Mass Ave (585 Columbus Ave)
Ruggles: Northbound - Ruggles Station (Upper Busway) Southbound - Columbus Ave @ Melnea Cass Blvd.
Roxbury Crossing: Northbound - Columbus Ave @ Malcolm X Blvd (1184 Columbus Ave) Southbound - Tremont St @ Roxbury Crossing Station (1135 Columbus Ave)
Jackson Square: Northbound - Jackson Square Station (250 Centre St) Southbound - Columbus Ave @ Amory St (1579 Columbus Ave)
Stony Brook: Northbound - Stony Brook Station Southbound - Amory St @ Boylston St (207 Amory St)
Green Street: Northbound - Amory St @ Green St (420 Amory St) Southbound - Green St Station (465 Amory St)
Forest Hills: Forest Hills Station (Lower Busway)
Red Line riders can expect longer travel times on the Braintree Branch nightly from 8 PM, to end of service, beginning on Feb 28. This is to allow for critical signal work near JFK/UMass.
How Long Will the Work Take: To accomplish this work, four phases of temporary evening service changes will continue through April. Each phase should take about two weeks to complete.
How Much Longer Will my Trip Be: Riders should budget an additional 10 â 15 minutes of travel time during this work.
When is the Next Phase: Likely beginning March 15 with longer travel times on the Ashmont Branch.
Why are we Doing This: This work is part of a signal modernization project in Columbia Junction near JFK/UMass. Signals in this area were significantly damaged by a derailment in 2019.