Red Line delays are expected through Labor Day, even as MBTA plans to accelerate repairs
Red Line delays are expected through Labor Day, although MBTA plans to accelerate repairs
Updated: 1[ads1]:10 PM EDT June 21, 2019
On Friday MBTA announced an accelerated repair plan for the Red Line signal system. A red line train tracked up in Boston on June 11. The first recovery work was focused on repairs of tracks and power plants in JFK / UMass station, MBTA said. After tracking, the trains could only run at a speed of about one train every 10 minutes, or six trains per hour, during peak travel time through the Red Line core, ranging from JFK / UMass to Alewife. With both contracting staff and MBTA forces working around the clock, train speeds can safely increase to 25 km / h through most of the affected areas. As a result, MBTA was able to restore the Red Line frequency to one train every six minutes during peak hours, or about 10 trains per hour. Full service during rush hour is 13 or 14 trains per hour, said Steve Poftak, general manager of MBTA. "We've made a tremendous effort by the entire operation team and the entire caption delivery team to get to the point where we can make 10 trains per hour. This level of service will be in place through Labor Day," Poftak said. Commuters who ride the red line are advised to allow extra 20 minutes for their trips this summer. The MBTA said it was safe to operate trains at six-minute intervals, while the crew could continue to repair the signaling system, passing the Red Line trains through the JFK / UMass area during a carefully controlled manual operation. More than 50 people at a given time are needed to ensure the secure coordination of the movement of trains between the Red Line core and the Braintree and Ashmont departments, MBTA says. "While we recognize something but full service does not exceed our customers' expectations, our current recovery plan reflects the MBTA's urgent approach to the enormous task of returning the red line to full service," said Poftak. "As the recovery work continues, I thank the MBTA workforce for their urgency and professionalism, and I want our customers to know that we greatly appreciate their patience. "
On Friday MBTA announced an accelerated repair plan for the Red Line signaling system.
A red line train was tracked in Boston on June 11. The first recovery work was focused on repairs of tracks and power plants in JFK / UMass station, MBTA said.
After tracking, the trains could only run at a speed of about one train every 10 minutes, or six trains per hour, during busy hours through the Red Line core, ranging from JFK / UMass to Alewife.
With both contracting staff and MBTA forces working around the clock, train speeds can safely increase to 25 km / h through most of the affected areas. As a result, MBTA was able to restore the Red Line frequency to one train every six minutes during peak hours, or about 10 trains per hour.
Full service at rush hour is 13 or 14 trains per hour, said Steve Poftak, general manager of MBTA.
"We have done a tremendous effort by the entire operation team and the entire caption team to get to the point where we can do 10 trains per hour. This level of service will be in place through Labor Day," Poftak said.
Commuters riding on the red line are recommended to allow extra 20 minutes for their trips this summer.
MBTA said it was safe to operate trains at six-minute intervals, while the crews could continue signal system repairs, passing the Red Line trains through the JFK / UMass area during a carefully controlled manual operation.
More than 50 people at a given time are required to ensure the coordinated movement of trains between the Red Line core and the Braintree and Ashmont branches, MBTA said.
"While recognizing something, but full service falls short of our customers' expectations, our current recovery plan reflects the MBTA's urgent approach to the enormous task of returning the red line to full service," Poftak said. thank the MBTA workforce for their urgency and professionalism, and I want our customers to know that we greatly appreciate their patience. "
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