BOSTON — Commuters were left stranded in dark MBTA stations on Thursday morning after a power problem at North Station halted train service on three major subway lines, officials said.
The power problem impacted service on the Green Line, Blue Line, and Orange Line for three hours, and trains were held at stations as crews scrambled to make repairs, according to the MBTA.
“Personnel are working to move trains into stations and resolve the issue,” the MBTA wrote in a post on X around 6:30 a.m. “Green Line, Blue Line, and Orange Line trains may hold at stations as we continue resolving a problem impacting signal and station power.”
The power on all lines was restored just before 9:30 a.m.
In an official statement, the MBTA called the power outage “unexpected.”
“The outage at North Station was unexpected, and it is one of the MBTA’s primary power feeds. As a safety precaution, protective systems opened related circuit breakers, temporarily discontinuing power flow,” a T spokesperson said.
During an afternoon news conference, MBTA CEO Phillip Eng clarified the cause of the power outage, saying that a seven-mile-long feeder cable had failed. That failure led to outages across several lines.
Eng also apologized for the failure and said riders will be able to travel free of charge on the Green Line, Blue Line, and Orange Line from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. due to the morning’s inconvenience.
#NEW: MBTA CEO Phillip Eng says a 7-mile long feeder cable failed this morning, causing delays and outages across several lines.
— Daniel Coates (@danielcoates_25) February 15, 2024
“This incident was outside our infrastructure,” he added.
MBTA leadership apologized, opened gates from 3-7 pm across all lines. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/TlxkGfbwYc
A video shared with Boston 25 showed dozens of Orange Line passengers waiting on a platform at the height of the morning commute as trains stood still on the tracks.
Photos also showed riders sitting in the dark as they waited for train service to be restored at the Haymarket and Forest Hills stations.
In a post on X, one commuter at Haymarket wrote, “We’re like miners.”
MBTA workers have closed the green line side of the Haymarket station this morning. The station appears to be completely without power right now. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/zHI6VQeHVs
— Ryan Breslin (@ryanjbreslin) February 15, 2024
Just before 8:30 a.m., the MBTA said that trains were bypassing Haymarket in both directions “due to insufficient lighting at the station.”
“Trains are currently bypassing Haymarket in both directions due to insufficient lighting at the station. Passengers can connect at North Station and Government Center. Orange Line trains will continue to service the station,” the T announced.
In a 9 a.m. update on X, the T informed riders, “MBTA personnel continue to work on restoring power. While this work is being done, countdown clocks in stations may not give real-time predictions.”
Boston 25′s Ryan Breslin shared a video of the lights coming back on at Haymarket just before 9:30 a.m.
Station is now open again. @boston25 https://t.co/2CViM1jHPk pic.twitter.com/uZHqWkXtmD
— Ryan Breslin (@ryanjbreslin) February 15, 2024
The MBTA told Orange Line passengers to board commuter rail trains for free at Oak Grove, Malden Center, North Station, Back Bay, Ruggles, and Forest Hills while service is disrupted.
Blue Line passengers were told to use the SL3 Bus for alternate service from the Airport to the South Station.
Power to all of the lines was restored shortly before 9:30 a.m., but the T warned of residual delays.
There were no additional details immediately available.
THE LATEST UPDATES FROM THE T:
Service Update: Power along the Green and Blue Lines has been restored. Green Line Trains have resumed service to Haymarket Station. https://t.co/4gBl0JEj8E
— MBTA (@MBTA) February 15, 2024
Orange Line Update: Power has been restored along most of the line. Orange Line riders may experience additional delays as we work to restore power between Forest Hills and Stony Brook.
— MBTA (@MBTA) February 15, 2024
Service Update: Green Line, Blue Line, and Orange Line continue to experience significant delays. MBTA personnel continue to work on restoring power.
— MBTA (@MBTA) February 15, 2024
While this work is being done, Countdown Clocks in stations may not give real time predictions. See additional information below. https://t.co/1NU5vFH3B0
Green Line: Trains are currently bypassing Haymarket in both directions due to insufficient lighting at the station. Passengers can connect at North Station and Government Center. Orange Line trains will continue to service the station.
— MBTA (@MBTA) February 15, 2024
Service Update: Green Line, Blue Line, and Orange Line continue to experience significant delays. MBTA personnel continue to work on restoring power.
— MBTA (@MBTA) February 15, 2024
While this work is being done, Countdown Clocks in stations may not give real time predictions.
See alternate options below. https://t.co/Yoj6tBo3Wu
Update: Orange Line passengers can board Commuter Rail trains for free at Oak Grove, Malden Center, North Station, Back Bay, Ruggles, and Forest Hills while service is disrupted. https://t.co/3dc9nXcK6w
— MBTA (@MBTA) February 15, 2024
Service Update: Green Line, Blue Line, and Orange Line trains may hold at stations as we continue resolving a problem impacting signal and station power. https://t.co/Y2HP0CphCy
— MBTA (@MBTA) February 15, 2024
This a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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