MBTA Says Look Out For Delays, Schedules Shuttle Buses

By Barry Thompson (Patch Staff)

In light of the below-zero temperatures expected early Friday morning, while trains are tentatively expected to run on schedule, an MBTA announcement advises customers to keep an eye out for service delays and interruptions on @mbta on twitter or mbta.com.

Over the weekend, shuttle bus service will fill in for the Orange Line train joining Oak Grove and Sullivan on Saturday, Feb. 7. That same day, the Red Line route connecting JFK/UMass and Ashmont will be replaced by shuttle bus service, as will be the case for the Red Line between Braintree and JFK/UMass the following day. The shuttle buses are being put in place to give the MBTA time to prepare the Red and Orange Lines for next week’s anticipated snowfall.

The following statement was released by the MBTA:

“The MBTA has been working tirelessly to battle the effects of this brutal winter and to increase the number of subway cars in service. MBTA personnel are preparing for both predicted overnight temperatures below zero and for the potential additional snowfall early next week.

For tomorrow, sub-zero conditions and wind chills as low as minus 20 will likely affect aging trains’ propulsion systems. While the MBTA will work hard to provide regular weekday service, customers are strongly encouraged to stay updated on delays and service interruptions via mbta.com or on twitter @mbta.

To accommodate snow removal operations and to allow MBTA crews to perform track maintenance in anticipation of the expected snowfall early next week, Ashmont branch Red Line trains between JFK/UMass and Ashmont as well as Orange Line trains between Oak Grove and Sullivan will be replaced with shuttle buses on Saturday, February 7. Braintree branch Red Line trains between JFK/UMass and Braintree will be replaced with shuttle buses on Sunday, February 8. The MTA in New York has generously loaned the MBTA two jet-powered snow blowers (very similar to the MBTA’s ‘Snowzilla’) to help clear the snow along the Red and Orange Line rights-of-way.

The MBTA apologizes for the inconvenience while crews work to restore service to the levels customers expect and deserve.”