The mayors of three communities bracing for the 30-day Orange Line closure are urging the MBTA to contemplate implementing specific bus service to Boston and growing the frequency of commuter rail journeys as mitigation measures for residents.
“We believe the MBTA can take additional action to make this closure slightly more tolerable for our residents and for your customers,” Medford, Melrose and Malden mayors Paul Brodeur, Breanna Lungo-Koehn and Gary Christenson wrote in a letter to MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak.
The three mayors are asking the T to contemplate providing specific bus service to Boston, from Oak Grove, Malden Center and Wellington stations, during the closure, which is able to lengthen from Aug. 19 to Sept. 18.
The Aug. 4 letter states that station-to-station shuttle buses, which is able to exchange subway service on elements of the Orange Line, “will likely be overcrowded and will be subject to significant and unavoidable delays.”
“Creating express, direct-to-Boston routes from each of the above-referenced stations using Route 93 will create more efficient and predictable service, and will relieve pressure on the rest of the shuttle and commuter rail system,” the letter mentioned.
“The MBTA has a great deal of experience running this type of service from areas north of Boston, and this unprecedented challenge makes this the perfect time to get creative with express bus service.”
The three mayors are additionally calling for elevated frequency of service on the Haverhill Line, which is without doubt one of the commuter rail strains the MBTA is banking on as an environment friendly various in the course of the closure.
Poftak mentioned Wednesday that commuters will be capable of pay Zone 1, 1A and a pair of fares by flashing their CharlieCards for commuter rail strains that connect with the Orange Line. The Haverhill Line can be making stops at Oak Grove, Malden Center and North Station.
However, the mayors mentioned extra practice service can be wanted on the Haverhill Line for the anticipated surge in ridership stemming from the month-long closure.
“Adding additional service will help alleviate the strain on existing commuter rail service, and will provide more riders to access a more predictable service that is not subject to many of the challenges the shuttles will experience because of the closure,” the letter mentioned.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”
