MBTA adds more commuter rail cars during Red Line shutdown

High demand caused the MBTA to add extra capacity on the Middleborough, Kingston, and Greenbush Commuter Rail lines throughout the Red Line shutdown.

The MBTA added more commuter rail cars on the tracks amid the latest Red Line shutdown, the agency said in a social media post on Tuesday.

Red Line service between the Braintree and JFK/UMass stops is currently suspended. The MBTA has encouraged riders to take the Middleborough, Kingston, and Greenbush Commuter Rail lines instead.

The MBTA said they initially added more railcars to those lines at the beginning of the shutdown. However, they said “high demand” caused them to add even more capacity.

The MBTA said the added cars will support increased ridership throughout the closure of the Braintree branch. From Sept. 6 until Sept. 29, shuttle buses are replacing service between Braintree and North Quincy. After stopping at North Quincy, buses head to Ashmont, rerouting riders to the other Red Line branch.

“The MBTA understands how these service changes affect riders’ daily travels during this period, but we are committed to improving your travels long term with more reliable, timely, and safe service,” the statement from the MBTA announcing the diversion said.

Transit Matters, a data center advocating for better public transportation, supported using the Commuter Rail amidst the Red Line diversion.

“We love the idea of using the Commuter Rail during these shutdowns as a way to move people more quickly and efficiently than shuttle buses,” Transit Matters Executive Director Jarred Johnson said. “Many are finding that they really love the express trip to their downtown destinations.”

He said the MBTA utilizing the Commuter Rail is a “great preview” for the potential of the Middleborough, Kingston, and Greenbush lines.