Train service along the MBTA Red Line in Boston was temporarily disrupted on Tuesday morning due to a derailment near Park Street station. The incident occurred around 4:45 a.m. on a northbound track, causing damage to the third rail in the area. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Apologizing to affected riders, MBTA spokesperson Joe Pesaturo stated, “The MBTA crews are working diligently to restore train service as soon as possible.” The disruption was first announced at around 5:30 a.m., and over 50 shuttle buses were deployed to transport passengers between Harvard and Broadway stations. However, Downtown Crossing was not serviced by the buses.
By 8:30 a.m., the track maintenance equipment had been re-railed and moved, and repairs were completed by 10 a.m., with power being restored shortly after. The T confirmed that trains were running again by 10:10 a.m.
While the cause of the derailment is still under investigation, officials revealed that it occurred during preparations for a planned 16-day partial service shutdown along the Red Line. This shutdown, scheduled from July 13 to July 28, will affect stations between Kendall/MIT and Alewife, extending to Park Street station on weekends and weekday evenings. Shuttle buses will be used as an alternative mode of transportation during this period while track work is carried out.
To ease the impact of the shutdown, the T has announced that its Bus Route 77 will be fare-free within Cambridge. Additionally, Fitchburg Line Commuter Rail trains will offer fare-free service between Porter station and North Station. Furthermore, an extra weekday “shuttle train” will run between North Station and Porter, providing commuters with more options during the Red Line partial shutdown.
The planned track work aims to address speed restrictions on the Red Line, which have been a cause of frustration for many riders. In fact, some commuters expressed their dissatisfaction with the frequent service disruptions. One individual at Harvard Square observed, “There were a lot of people just streaming onto the shuttle buses.” Another frustrated commuter, Rob Johnston, voiced his concerns, saying, “What other service are you expected to pay full price for that just breaks down this consistently? Something needs to change.”
It’s worth noting that the Red Line is not the only transit line undergoing maintenance projects this month. The Green Line and Needham and Haverhill Commuter Rail lines are also scheduled for maintenance.
While service disruptions like these can be frustrating for commuters, it is important to recognize the efforts of the MBTA to address maintenance issues and improve the transit system. The planned track work on the Red Line, as well as maintenance projects on other lines, will help alleviate speed restrictions and enhance overall service reliability. By offering alternative transportation options and fare-free services, the T is making an effort to minimize inconvenience for riders during the upcoming partial shutdown. However, it is clear that there is still room for improvement in terms of communication and handling of service disruptions to ensure a more seamless commuting experience for passengers.
