After a long battle with the elements, MBTA Red Line service has been restored. The MBTA announced on Sunday that Green Line B Branch service is also up and running.
The service restorations came a day ahead of schedule according to the MBTA.
“Today marks a major step to getting the transit service our customers and expect and deserve back up and running,” said MBTA General Manager, Dr. Beverly Scott, in a statement. “Despite the major setbacks the weather has dealt us, I want to thank Governor Baker for playing a vital role in the coordination of resources and assistance we had to help expedite the restoration of service. I also want to express our appreciation for our customers and say thank you for your loyalty.”
Scott tendered her resignation earlier in February after torrents of snow bombarded Boston for weeks on end, subjecting the under-resourced transit system to paralyzing abuse – she’ll remain as GM until April. Surely it didn’t help, either, that Gov. Charlie Baker had some harsh words for the T’s continued subpar performance.
Gov. Baker recently appointed a MBTA advisory panel for determining best practices moving forward.
The freezing cold temperatures and constant accumulation of snow made it nearly impossible for Red Line trains between JFK/UMass and Braintree grip the third rail and accelerate on the exposed track.
Bus service eventually substituted for train service but that wasn’t without its speed bumps either – a downed light pole thickened already congested traffic near JFK/UMass but it was cleared soon thereafter.
Also beginning on Monday, Feb. 23, the MBTA will be deploying ambassadors at high-volume stations to help commuters and passersby navigate the up-and-coming public transportation and answer any questions.
They’ll be at the following locations:
Weekdays from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.:
- Mattapan Station
- Central Avenue
- Sullivan
- North Station-Orange Line
- State-Orange Line
Weekdays from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- Ashmont
- Downtown Crossing
- State-Orange Line
- Haymarket
- North Station-Orange Line
