Money from Massachusetts’ Fair Share Amendment is supplying the MBTA with $200.8 million for a variety of uses, including staffing and infrastructure improvements. Often referred to as the “millionaire’s tax,” over 40% of the recent revenue from the amendment will go towards improvements to the city’s public transportation.
A $20 million cut of the funds has been designated for the MBTA Workforce and Safety Reserve to investigate ongoing safety concerns, which stem from a 2022 Federal Transit Administration safety management inspection plan.
The news arrives in tangent with a new slew of suspensions from the MBTA. Due to necessary signal improvement, track and tie replacement, and upgrades to infrastructure + station amenities, major portions of the T will shutter in February. For all suspensions, free and accessible shuttles will be available, in addition to free rides on sections of the Commuter Rail.
Additionally, Commuter Rail service will be suspended on the Fitchburg Line between Littleton/Route 495 and Alewife on Saturday, Feb. 3-Sunday, Feb. 4. The Lowell Line will be shut down entirely the following weekend, Saturday, Feb. 10-Sunday, Feb. 11. Free shuttles will be available to riders both weekends.
Here’s a breakdown of the main subway service disruptions.
Red Line
- Service between Alewife and Harvard stations will be suspended from Monday, Feb. 5-Wednesday, Feb. 14. The suspension extends to the Red Line’s Park Street station after 8:45 p.m. daily during this period.
- Shutdowns continue Saturday, Feb. 24-Sunday, Feb. 25 between Harvard and Broadway stations.
Green Line
- The longest suspension will take place across the Green Line, affecting the B, C, and D branches for 18 days.
- Trains will not run from Tuesday, Feb. 20-Friday, March 8 between Copley and the following stations: Babcock Street (B Branch), Cleveland Circle (C Branch), and Brookline Hills (D Branch).
Orange Line
- A brief suspension between Forest Hills and Ruggles stations will take place Saturday, Feb. 17-Sunday, Feb. 18.
