MBTA To Shut Down For Irene

The Boston area's public transportation authority has decided to shut down all services as Hurricane Irene closes in on the region.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority says all its services — including bus, subway and commuter rail — will shut down for the entire day Sunday.

The center of the hurricane is expected to hit the state at midday Sunday, bringing heavy rains, flooding and winds as high as 90 mph.

In an announcement Saturday, the MBTA said it made the decision to shut down for the safety of its customers and employees.

It said the shutdown will also allow it to focus on making sure it's ready to resume normal operations by the Monday morning commute.