Schedule of MBTA and Commuter Rail service disruptions in July, along with strategies for navigating them in Massachusetts
In July 2025, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) will carry out essential maintenance work on the Red Line, Orange Line, and the Framingham/Worcester commuter rail line. The work will result in service interruptions and the provision of alternative transportation options for commuters.
**Red Line:**
The Red Line will undergo two separate closures, each lasting a weekend. The first closure will take place from 8:30 PM on Thursday, July 10, through the weekend, resuming Monday morning, July 14. The second closure will occur from 8:30 PM on Thursday, July 17, through the weekend, ending Sunday, July 20. During these closures, shuttle buses will replace train service between affected stations, but these buses will not stop at Park Street station; they will stop at State and Haymarket stations for connections to the Orange, Blue, and Green lines.
Extra travel time of 30 to 45 minutes is expected due to traffic on shuttle buses. Fares will be waived at JFK/UMass, Kendall/MIT, Haymarket, State, and South Station during the Red Line closure. Commuter rail service between Braintree and South Station and between Porter and North Station will be free of charge during these closures, providing an alternative option for commuters. Additionally, the City of Boston will offer free BlueBikes during closures with special codes for the two weekends.
**Orange Line:**
Southbound Orange Line trains will skip Jackson Square station from 9 PM until the end of service daily from July 26 through August 9. A lengthy section of the Orange Line between Medford and Back Bay will be closed on a weekend in July (specific weekend not detailed in the search results). Shuttle buses are provided in place of trains during closures. Connections at Haymarket and State stations are suggested for alternative routes.
**Framingham/Worcester Commuter Rail Line:**
Service will be suspended between Framingham and South Station on the weekend of July 26 and 27 for accessibility upgrades. Alternative transportation options are not explicitly detailed in the search results, but the closure implies use of other commuter rail segments or shuttle bus services typical in such MBTA maintenance events.
To accommodate riders during these closures, the MBTA will drop fees at Back Bay, Copley, Wellington, and North Station. Riders can use the Green Line for service through Downtown Boston during the Orange Line closure. Riders are encouraged to take the commuter rail for free alternate service between Oak Grove and North Station and between Forest Hills and South Station.
Shuttle buses will not stop at Park Street station but will stop at State and Haymarket stations. Riders should expect additional travel time due to Boston traffic on the shuttle buses. For those who typically board at Wellesley Farms or Lansdowne, passengers should instead board at Riverside or Kenmore, respectively. Forest Hills-bound riders looking to board the train at Jackson Square will instead need to board an Oak Grove-bound train, exit one stop up at Roxbury Crossing, and then board a Forest Hills-bound train to their destination. Similarly, Forest Hills-bound riders hoping to exit at Jackson Square will need to exit one stop later at Stony Brook and board an Oak Grove-bound train to double back to Jackson Square.
Express shuttles will travel directly between North Station and Back Bay Station during the Orange Line closure. Four free shuttle bus routes (Route 1, 2, 3, and 4) will replace commuter rail service during the shutdown. Route 3 operates between Framingham, West Natick, Natick Center, Wellesley Square, Wellesley Hills, and Back Bay. Route 2 operates between Wellesley Hills, Riverside on the Green Line D Branch, Auburndale, West Newton, Newtonville, Boston Landing, and South Station. Route 4 operates between Wellesley Hills, Riverside on the Green Line D Branch, Auburndale, West Newton, Newtonville, Boston Landing, and Back Bay.
These maintenance activities aim to perform vital upgrades and regular maintenance to improve system reliability and accessibility. Riders are advised to plan for extra travel time and utilize free shuttle buses, fare-free commuter rail options on select segments, and BlueBikes provided by the city during Red Line closures. Connections at major transfer stations such as State and Haymarket will facilitate rerouting during service interruptions. This coordinated approach between the MBTA and the City of Boston is designed to minimise disruption and maintain connectivity throughout the period of closures.
All three transportation lines, the Red Line, Orange Line, and Framingham/Worcester commuter rail line, will experience maintenance work in July 2025, necessitating service interruptions. During the Red Line closures, alternate transportation options include shuttle buses, free commuter rail service, and free BlueBikes provided by the city. The Orange Line will see skipped stations and shuttle buses, with connections suggested at Haymarket and State stations. For the Framingham/Worcester commuter rail line, temporary suspension is scheduled, suggesting the use of other commuter rail segments or shuttle bus services. Infrastructure improvements and regular maintenance are the objectives of these activities aiming to boost system reliability and accessibility.
