BOSTON, November 9, 2023 — TransitMatters applauds the MBTA and General Manager Eng for releasing a long-term diversion schedule for 2024. For too long, the T has communicated diversions to the public on an ad-hoc basis with limited warning. Planning this work far in advance allows riders to make adjustments for when their trips are impacted. It also gives us at TransitMatters better confidence that the T is coordinating repairs and capital improvements to minimize disruption for riders.
While the T disrupts rail service, the MBTA needs to ensure replacement service is as seamless as possible. Communications about when and how service will be replaced or supplemented should happen early and often. The T should work with municipalities to ensure replacement bus service is fast and frequent and mitigate potential traffic issues along the route. Along parallel corridors, the T should increase Commuter Rail service and allow riders to board by showing their CharlieCard, explore free fares, and increase service on parallel and diversionary high-frequency bus routes.
The MBTA has reduced service on rapid transit for a year and a half. The Red Line is still only running 50% of pre-COVID service. Slow zones remain at or near record levels for any time before 2023. While these diversions are necessary to clear the existing backlog of speed restrictions, track defects occur as a part of regular wear and tear. Going forward, the MBTA should ensure it has the capacity to handle new track defects with minimal disruption to regular service.
If we want ridership to return to the pre-COVID levels, the T must improve speed restrictions and service levels as quickly as possible and run regular service as often as possible. Riders can learn to rely on the MBTA again, and we look forward to them doing so. We hope that this new plan builds on the success of the recent Red Line diversion and gives riders precious hours of their lives back.
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Banner Photo Credit: Brooke Winter