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.