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Boston's Morning Newsletter
Why is the Green Line Extension already so slow? The T has the same question
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While a “hot mess of uncertainty” is on the radar tomorrow, here’s the hot mess we know for sure about today:
Many of the MBTA’s problems can be chalked up to age and neglect. So, then why is the much-touted Green Line Extension — most of which is less than a year old — already bogged down by speed restrictions so severe that you can walk faster than trolleys for long stretches? It turns out even T officials aren’t quite sure.
- How slow is it? The MBTA’s speed restriction tracker shows nine different 3 mph slow zones — ranging from 200 to 1,200 feet — on the GLX’s two branches. According to TransitMatters, they’ve slowed down trips between Medford/Tufts and Lechmere station in Cambridge by about five minutes in each direction.
- What’s the problem? As The Boston Globe first reported, MBTA inspectors discovered the width between the track on much of the GLX had gotten too narrow for trains to safely go at full speed. It’s an unusual development, since tracks usually get wider apart with wear and tear. The issue was first noticed — and fixed — in June, according to the Globe. But it popped up again this month, leading to the new, snails-pace slow zones.
- What they’re saying: MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo said in an email that the GLX tracks were relatively narrow from the start, but did not require speed restrictions until recently. He added the T is still working to determine the root cause.
- Go deeper: The Globe’s Taylor Dolven and TransitMatters’ Jarred Johnson came on Radio Boston yesterday to discuss the new GLX slow zones and internal dysfunction hampering the Ts efforts to address speed restrictions across the subway system. Listen here.
One step down, two to go: The Massachusetts House swiftly passed the new tax relief bill yesterday, by a vote of 155-1. House Speaker Ron Mariano said the bill will “help to make Massachusetts more affordable for all residents, while also helping to make the Commonwealth more competitive with other states.” Up next: The Senate, which is scheduled to vote today. If passed, it then goes to Gov. Maura Healey’s desk and she’ll have 10 days to make a decision.
- The lone no vote in the House was state Rep. Mike Connolly, who said in a statement he’s “very concerned about the parts of the bill that will benefit large corporations and the super-rich in this time of ongoing housing emergency and never-ending MBTA disaster.”
- ICYMI: Here’s a breakdown of how much renters, parents, seniors and more will save from the tax relief package.
Relief for Red Line riders: The Fairmount commuter rail line will be free to ride during next month’s 16-day closure of the Red Line’s Ashmont branch and Mattapan trolley. That’s in addition to free shuttle buses at the closed Red Line stations.
- Heads up: The T is also working on a “tailored Riders’ Guide” with more details about alternate travel options during the disruption.
Ferry scary: The amount you pay to take your car to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket could be going up. That’s because the Steamship Authority is proposing fare increases for car ferry service to offset new maintenance and insurance costs.
- Under the proposal, trips to Nantucket would go up anywhere from $15 to $25 in the summer, while trips to the Vineyard would jump by $10.
- Good news for walk-ons: Officials aren’t proposing any rate increases for passenger tickets.
Summer 2026 will be a busy time for the Boston area: We’ll have the World Cup, the return of women’s profession soccer and now… the tall ships. Sail Boston announced yesterday that the tall ships will gather in Boston from July 11 to July 16, 2026, capping off a celebration of the nation’s 250th birthday. It will be the ships’ first visit to Boston since 2017 and organizers are preparing for up to 5 million visitors.
P.S.— Don’t be alarmed if your phone goes off next week. FEMA is conducting a nationwide test of its alert system around 2:20 p.m. on Wednesday. (Just don’t get it confused with the reminder you’ve surely set for the beginning of Fat Bear week.)
