MBTA to Reduce Services This Winter When Faced With Severe Weather

In light of last year’s numerous delays and equipment failures, the MBTA has announced that it will reduce services this winter during severe weather.

As the MBTA notes on its new winter weather information website, “This year, the MBTA will operate reduced service when severe winter weather hits. Check MBTA.com regularly to determine whether severe weather service plans are in place.”

So what exactly do “severe weather service plans” entail for Boston-area bus, subway and commuter rail riders? Here’s the breakdown:

Bus

• Some bus routes may operate at reduced levels, resulting in less frequent service.
• Some bus routes, especially those located on hills or narrow streets, may operate on, “snow routes.”

Subway

• The Red, Blue, Orange and Green Lines may operate at reduced levels, resulting in less frequent service.
• Mattapan Hi-Speed line service may be replaced by bus shuttles during severe weather.

Commuter Rail

• During severe weather, commuter rail may operate on winter schedules.  To determine if your route is operating on a winter schedules, check MBTA.com or media reports regularly for updates.

The MBTA’s new severe weather service plans will likely impact commuter rail riders the most. Due to its 400 milies of exposed tracks, the commuter rail is prone to build-ups of snow and ice, as well as interference from downed trees.

Ultimately, 23 percent fewer trains will run while the severe weather schedule is in place. The MBTA’s goal is to prevent commuters from being stranded, as there were multiple days last year when the majority of commuter trains ran behind schedule. In addition, some trains stalled for several hours due to weather-related equipment problems.

To voice their opinions about the MBTA’s recent announcement, many Boston-area residents have turned to Twitter:

During “routine winter weather” this year, which the MBTA refers to as “cold and moderate snow,” services will operate as usual. However, in some instances, the MBTA may “operate buses on snow routes or have minor delays.”

Related posts:

1. Coming To A Halt? MBTA May Cut Night and Weekend Commuter Rail Services
2. Mystic Seaport, a Top CT Tourist Attraction, to Close for 6 Weeks in Winter
3. Occupy Boston Protesters Weather First Snowstorm of the Season
4. New Englanders Wake Up to Unpleasant Surprise: Icy Roads Cause Problems Across the Region
5. MBTA to Shut Down for Irene; Biggest Disruption since 1978 Blizzard

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Posted by erik devaney on Nov 4 2011. Filed under Featured - For home page featured article, General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry