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Boston's Morning Newsletter
Get ready for a 9-day closure of the middle of the Red Line
Editor's Note: This is an excerpt from WBUR's daily morning newsletter, WBUR Today. If you like what you read and want it in your inbox, sign up here.
It’s Monday. While we buckle up for this week’s “temperature roller coaster,” here’s a look at what else is ahead:
Attention passengers: The next MBTA closure is now approaching — and it’s hitting one of the busiest parts of the system. The T is shutting down the Red Line between Park Street and JFK/UMass this Thursday through next Friday (May 2-10). The closure will give crews full access to the downtown tunnel as part of the T’s long slog to remove slow zones. But for riders, it means nine straight days of circuitous commutes and longer waits along the entire line.
- Between Park and JFK/UMass: Free shuttles will run both ways along the closed stretch (but they’ll only make northbound stops at Downtown Crossing, since it’s so close to Park).
- North of Park Street: Red Line trains will run only every 11-12 minutes between Alewife to Park Street on weekdays. Weekend waits are expected to be slightly longer.
- South of JFK/UMass: Trains from JFK/UMass to Ashmont and Braintree will run every 13-15 minutes during the week. And starting at 8:30 p.m. each night this Thursday through next Thursday, train service between JFK/UMass and Ashmont will shut down, too. Shuttles will sub in for the rest of the night.
- Other options: In addition to the shuttles, there are two other free ways to get around the closure. The commuter rail will be free between Braintree and South Station. Bluebikes is also offering up to five free rides to those without memberships — just enter the code “MBTAREDMAY” through their mobile app.
- FYI: The Red Line closure was originally going to start Wednesday, but the T pushed it back a day to give workers a breather, after the current Blue Line closure in East Boston and Revere was extended two additional days, through Tuesday.
The latest: Officials at MIT and Tufts are calling for an end to the pro-Palestinian encampments on their respective campuses. While both encampments have remained relatively small (around 15 tents), the universities say the demonstrations have broken campus rules and become a draw for non-student protesters. The push comes after police cleared an encampment at Northeastern early Saturday morning, after university officials said it had been “infiltrated by professional organizers.”
- Tufts leaders said in a statement last night that protesters have “scrawled obscene language” on campus buildings and made visitors on admissions tours “feel afraid and unwelcome.” They plan to reach out to protesters this morning to work on a plan to end the encampment “in the next few days” so Tufts can prepare the quad for commencement on May 19.
- MIT President Sally Kornbluth said in a taped message Saturday the encampment on Kresge Lawn has diverted “hundreds of staff hours” away from other essential duties and “needs to end soon.” (Kornbluth also said the university would not cut research ties to Israel, as protestors are demanding.)
- Go deeper: Here’s a look at how protests over the Israel-Hamas war have put a spotlight on college endowments and how the multi-billion dollar funds are managed.
Meanwhile: Emerson College says it will not bring disciplinary action against students who were arrested when police cleared their pro-Palestinian encampment near Boston Common. Emerson President Jay Bernhardt also said in a statement Sunday the school is encouraging prosecutors not to pursue charges related to encampment violations against students who were arrested. (Emerson will also provide housing to any students who must remain in Boston for court appearances after the dorms close, according to Bernhardt.)
One way to avoid all these subway closures: Take to the seas! The Lynn-to-Boston ferry resumes weekday service today. And for the first time starting this season, it will also run on weekends, as of May 25. The 40-minute trip costs $7 each way. Click here for the schedule.
- The T’s seasonal Winthrop-Quincy-Boston ferry route also resumes today, with a few additional daily trips. See the full ferry route map and schedule on the MBTA’s website.
P.S.— We try not to pick sides on political issues in this newsletter, but I’m fully endorsing this campaign to put googly eyes on some MBTA trains. Supporters will march from Boston Common to the MBTA’s downtown offices today at lunchtime to make their case.
