MBTA inches closer to plan on Orange Line alternatives

BOSTON — Tens of thousands of Boston-area commuters who will have their trips upended for a month by an imminent MBTA shutdown could get a clearer look at available travel alternatives on Friday.

MBTA Deputy General Manager Jeff Gonneville said leadership at the embattled transit agency are “still continuing to work through a little bit of the granular details” on a plan to run replacement shuttle buses when Orange Line subway service goes dark in eight days. Officials plan “a full announcement, most likely tomorrow,” Gonneville told the MBTA board’s safety, health and environment subcommittee at a Thursday meeting.

“For the most part, we are pretty well buttoned-up on what the plan is going to be. The micro-details of taking a left here, taking a right here, we’re going to have a stop right in this spot -- those things are still being worked out,” Gonneville said. “As we speak right now, I believe there are some test runs we’re doing out on the route itself.”

Some municipal leaders have grown frustrated with the lack of an exact plan for the shuttle buses as the start date for the 30-day Orange Line shutdown approaches.

The T’s website indicates free shuttle buses will run between Oak Grove and Government Center and between Back Bay and Forest Hills stations, but it does not make clear whether buses will connect those two segments or if riders will be asked to take a shuttle bus, transfer to the Green Line for service through downtown Boston, and then take another shuttle bus to get from one end of the Orange Line to the other.

“I certainly do not want to portray that this is going to be an easy alternative service by any means and I certainly do not want to portray as well that this will not have an impact on traffic and congestion throughout the downtown area and even getting into the downtown area,” Gonneville said.

Riders will also be able to ride the commuter rail free of charge in Zones 1, 1A and 2 by flashing a CharlieCard or CharlieTicket. Some commuter rail trains will make additional stops at Orange Line stations during the shutdown.

Today, we invited @MayorWu, @BostonBTD & @bostonpolice for a ride along as we test drove the shuttle route for the upcoming Orange Line diversion. This test run helps all coordinating agencies get a first-hand look at the routing, & identify areas where we can optimize service. pic.twitter.com/RAE5FsdXdZ
— MBTA (@MBTA) August 11, 2022