Boston

MBTA Advises Commuter Rail Commuters to Plan Ahead for Monday Morning Commute

Greenbush, Kingston, and Newburyport/Rockport Line customers should allow for extra time

The MBTA and Keolis Commuter Services are advising customers to plan ahead and allow for an extra 15-20 minutes for Monday’s commute, particularly those in coastal areas where heavy rain, tidal flooding, and debris have caused challenges on the roadways. 

“While we are expecting to run full service on both the MBTA and the Commuter Rail systems, ongoing storm cleanup efforts may still hinder some people’s ability to travel,” said MBTA General Manager Luis Manuel Ramírez. “Because efforts to bounce back from the storm are still underway, we urge our customers to allow for extra time to reach stations, and to be mindful that storm restoration efforts may affect regularly scheduled service, especially in areas that were hit the hardest by the storm.”

Following the nor'easter, MBTA and Keolis have been working to make system repairs, and to clear downed limbs and debris from parking lots, station platforms, and pedestrian walkways throughout the MBTA system.

The MBTA is specifically advising customers along the Greenbush, Rockport/Newburyport, and Kingston/Plymouth Commuter Rail lines to give themselves extra time.

Power outages and damage caused to rail infrastructure will require those lines to operate on secondary power sources until the power grid is restored to full strength.

Keolis and MBTA crews re-inspected the network over the weekend after the storm brought tidal surges over three high tides, 2-5 inches of rain and wind gusts up to 85 mph in certain locations.

Some of the damage from the storm included: Eight train sets were damaged from downed trees and other incidents; dozens of downed trees and branches landed on commuter rail tracks; several sections of track were flooded, especially along coastal areas; 50 generators were deployed to provide power where it was lost; receding tides along coastal areas washed out sections of rail; approximately 25 crossing gates were damaged.

As teams finish repair work from this nor'easter, they are already preparing for another storm midweek.

MBTA encourages its customers to check schedules for any service-related updates, and anyone who sees or experiences an issue can notify the T at 617-222-3200.

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