MBTA weekend service changes: Sat Oct 31–Sun Nov 1
Is the T running this weekend? Here is every planned MBTA shutdown, shuttle bus, station closure and Commuter Rail change for Saturday, Oct 31 and Sunday, Nov 1, in plain English, from the MBTA's own service alerts. Times are Eastern Time.
This weekend at a glance (Oct 31–Nov 1):
- Green Line (all branches): No trains between North Station & Babcock St (B), Kenmore (C+D), & Heath St (E). All weekend, from start of service Saturday, Oct 31, through end of service Sunday, Nov 1.
- Orange Line: Signal maintenance near Community College is planned to improve reliability. Riders may experience longer than usual wait times during this work. All weekend, from start of service Saturday, Oct 31, through end of service Sunday, Nov 1.
- Newburyport/Rockport Line: Bikes and Scooters are not allowed on all Newburyport/Rockport Line trains due to heavy Haunted Happenings ridership to Salem. All weekend, from start of service Saturday, Oct 31, through end of service Sunday, Nov 1.
Still in effect:
- Green Line C branch: Trains are not stopping at Brandon Hall through October 30 while accessibility upgrades are being done. Until end of service Friday, Oct 30.
- Green Line C branch: Trains are skipping Saint Paul Street outbound through Nov 7 for accessibility upgrades. All weekend and beyond, through end of service Saturday, Nov 7.
- Green Line E branch: Symphony station is closed for major accessibility upgrades. All weekend and beyond, until further notice.
- Green Line C branch: Trains are skipping Hawes St outbound through Nov 7 while accessibility upgrades are being done. All weekend and beyond, through end of service Saturday, Nov 7.
- Silver Line SL2: SL2 is detoured weekdays from 6 PM until end of service and skipping Northern Ave @ Tide St. Friday, Oct 30, from 6 PM until the end of service.
- Winthrop Ferry, Quincy Ferry and Winthrop/Quincy Ferry: F8 Winthrop/Quincy Ferry weekend service has ended for the season. For the rest of the season.
- Lynn Ferry: F5 Lynn Ferry weekend service has ended for the season. For the rest of the season.
- Hingham Ferry and Hingham/Hull Ferry: F2H Hingham/Hull Ferry weekend service has ended for the season. For the rest of the season.
Everything else runs normally: no changes are posted for the Red Line, Blue Line, Mattapan Line, Silver Line SL1, Silver Line SL3, Silver Line SL4, Silver Line SL5, Silver Line SLW, Fairmount Line, Fall River/New Bedford Line, Fitchburg Line, Framingham/Worcester Line, Franklin/Foxboro Line, Greenbush Line, Haverhill Line, Kingston Line, Lowell Line, Needham Line, Providence/Stoughton Line, Charlestown Ferry and East Boston Ferry. They run their regular weekend schedules.
Clocks fall back. Daylight saving time ends at 2 AM on Sunday, Nov 1, so the clock goes back to 1 AM. Late-night trains around that hour can look odd on paper, so check live times. Times on this page already use the right clock.
Halloween is Saturday. Salem gets very busy. Expect packed Newburyport/Rockport Line trains and local bus detours around downtown Salem. See getting around Salem in October.
What to do instead
- Shuttle buses are usually free. Where buses replace trains, just board (the MBTA alert for each change has the details). Shuttles are accessible, and station staff point the way to the stops.
- Allow extra time. Shuttles and detours are slower than the train. Per the MBTA, trips on the Green Line can take at least 25 minutes longer than usual. Leave early if you have a train, game or show to catch.
- Fare-free alternatives, per the MBTA: Framingham/Worcester Line is free between Lansdowne and South Station. Route 39 Bus will be fare-free. Route 57 Bus will be fare-free.
- Use a parallel line. Downtown, the Orange Line runs close to the central Green Line (North Station, Haymarket, State, Downtown Crossing, Chinatown, Back Bay). The details for each line are below.
- Get a route that avoids it. Ask Cobblehop where you're going and it plans around the closures with live times.
Line by line
Orange Line
Heads-up: Orange Line. All weekend, from start of service Saturday, Oct 31, through end of service Sunday, Nov 1.
Orange Line: Signal maintenance near Community College will take place Saturday, October 31, through Sunday, November 1, to improve reliability. Riders may experience longer than usual wait times during this work.
MBTA alerts for Orange Line · Ask Cobblehop how to get around it
Green Line
No trains: Green Line (all branches). All weekend, from start of service Saturday, Oct 31, through end of service Sunday, Nov 1.
Green Line: No trains between North Station & Babcock St (B), Kenmore (C+D), & Heath St (E), October 31 - November 1. Use buses between Babcock, Kenmore, Heath St (Rt 39) & Copley/Back Bay. Use Orange Line between North Station & Back Bay.
- Framingham/Worcester Line is free between Lansdowne and South Station.
- Route 39 Bus will be fare-free.
- Route 57 Bus will be fare-free.
- Use Orange Line between North Station & Back Bay.
- Riders should allow for ample extra travel time.
Full MBTA alert
Scope of Work:
This is to allow for work on critical signal upgrades within the central Green Line tunnel.
Travel Time:
Riders should allow for ample extra travel time. Rider trip times are expected to be at least 25 minutes longer than usual.
Accessibility:
All shuttle buses are accessible to riders with disabilities. Accessible van service will be available for Green Line stops between Kenmore & North Station as well as Downtown Crossing. See station personnel for assistance.
Commuter Rail Alternates:
Framingham/Worcester Line is free between Lansdowne and South Station
Bus Alternatives:
Route 39 Bus will be fare-free. This route runs parallel to the Green Line E Branch
Route 57 Bus will be fare-free. This route runs parallel to the Green Line B Branch between Kenmore and Packard's Corner.
Shuttle Bus Locations:
Back Bay/Copley:
Westbound Shuttle Stop - Stuart St @ Dartmouth St (Route 501/504 bus stop)
Hynes Convention Center:
Eastbound & Westbound Shuttle Stop - Commonwealth Ave @ Massachusetts Ave
Kenmore:
Eastbound Shuttle Stop - 512 Commonwealth Ave
Westbound Shuttle Stop - Commonwealth Ave @ Kenmore St
Blandford Street:
Eastbound Shuttle Stop - Commonwealth Ave @ Blandford St (Route 57 bus stop)
Westbound Shuttle Stop - Commonwealth Ave @ Silber Way (Route 57 bus stop)
Boston University East:
Eastbound Shuttle Stop - Commonwealth Ave @ Hinsdale St (Route 57 bus stop)
Westbound Shuttle Stop - Commonwealth Ave @ Granby St (Route 57 bus stop)
Boston University Central:
Eastbound and Westbound Shuttle Stops - Commonwealth Ave @ St Mary's St (Route 57 bus stop)
Amory Street:
Eastbound Shuttle Stop - Commonwealth Ave @ Pleasant St (Route 57 bus stop)
Westbound Shuttle Stop - Commonwealth Ave @ Buick St (Route 57 bus stop)
Babcock Street:
Westbound only Drop Off - Commonwealth Ave @ Babcock St (Route 57 bus stop)
Eastbound riders can use the Amory St stop at Commonwealth Ave @ Pleasant St (Route 57 bus stop)
Nearby Alternative Rail Service:
North Station (Transfer within Station to Orange Line)
Haymarket (Transfer within Station to Orange Line.)
Government Center (use State, 0.2 mi.)
Park Street (use Downtown Crossing, 0.2 mi.)
Boylston (use Chinatown, 0.1 mi.)
Arlington (use Chinatown, 0.4 mi.)
Symphony (use Mass Ave 0.1 mi.)
Northeastern University (use Ruggles 0.3 mi)
Museum of Fine Arts (use Ruggles 0.3 mi)
Shuttle route:
View shuttle route and stops: https://platform.remix.com/project/b948546e?
MBTA alerts for the Green Line · Ask Cobblehop how to get around it
Station closed (longer-running): Green Line C branch. Until end of service Friday, Oct 30.
Green Line C Branch: Trains are not stopping at Brandon Hall through October 30 while accessibility upgrades are being done. Riders can board or alight at either Fairbanks St or Summit Ave, which are 0.1-0.2 miles away (or a 4- to 5-minute walk)
MBTA alerts for the Green Line · MBTA details · Ask Cobblehop how to get around it
Station closed (longer-running): Green Line C branch. All weekend and beyond, through end of service Saturday, Nov 7.
Green Line C Branch: Trains are skipping Saint Paul Street outbound through Nov 7 for accessibility upgrades. Riders can instead board or disembark one stop away at either Coolidge Corner or Kent Street, which are 0.2 miles away.
Full MBTA alert
Affected direction: westbound
Affected stations:
Saint Paul Street
MBTA alerts for the Green Line · MBTA details · Ask Cobblehop how to get around it
Station closed (longer-running): Green Line E branch. All weekend and beyond, until further notice.
Green Line E Branch: Symphony station is closed for major accessibility upgrades. Riders can use Prudential or Northeastern to access E Branch service. The station is expected to reopen in 2029.
Full MBTA alert
Alternate Service Options:
• Riders who typically board or disembark at Symphony can instead board or disembark at Northeastern University or Prudential, which are 0.3 miles away (or about a five-minute walk) from Symphony.
• Riders are encouraged to instead consider travelling on the Orange Line at Massachusetts Avenue, which is 0.1 miles (or about a three-minute walk) from Symphony.
• Riders may also use the Route 39, which operates parallel to the E branch in both directions along Huntington Avenue.
Background:
Currently, there are no step-free pathways from the entrances to the platforms at Symphony, and the station is not able to be accessed by people with wheeled mobility devices. When construction is complete in spring 2029, Symphony will be enhanced with four new accessible elevators, raised platforms for easier boarding, accessible bathrooms, improved wayfinding, more lighting, and upgraded safety features, making the station safer and easier to use for all riders.
MBTA alerts for the Green Line · Ask Cobblehop how to get around it
Station closed (longer-running): Green Line C branch. All weekend and beyond, through end of service Saturday, Nov 7.
Green Line C Branch: Trains are skipping Hawes St outbound through Nov 7 while accessibility upgrades are being done. Riders can board/alight one stop away at either Saint Mary’s St or Kent St, which are 0.2-0.3 miles away (about a 4 - 6 minute walk)
Full MBTA alert
Affected direction: westbound
Affected stations:
Hawes Street
MBTA alerts for the Green Line · MBTA details · Ask Cobblehop how to get around it
Silver Line
Detour (longer-running): Silver Line SL2. Friday, Oct 30, from 6 PM until the end of service.
SL2 is detoured weekdays from 6 PM until end of service and skipping Northern Ave @ Tide St. Closest outbound stops are Northern Ave @ Harbor St & 23 Drydock Ave. Closest inbound stops are Drydock Ave @ Design Center Place & Northern Ave opp Harbor St.
Full MBTA alert
Skipped outbound stops:
Northern Ave @ Tide St
Skipped inbound stops:
Northern Ave @ Tide St
MBTA alerts for Silver Line SL2 · Ask Cobblehop how to get around it
Newburyport/Rockport Line
Heads-up: Newburyport/Rockport Line. All weekend, from start of service Saturday, Oct 31, through end of service Sunday, Nov 1.
Reminder: On the weekend of October 31st through November 1st, Bikes and Scooters are not allowed on all Newburyport/Rockport Line trains due to heavy Haunted Happenings ridership to Salem. View PDF Timetable on the MBTA website.
MBTA alerts for Newburyport/Rockport Line · MBTA timetable (PDF) · Ask Cobblehop how to get around it
Ferries
Service change (longer-running): Winthrop Ferry, Quincy Ferry and Winthrop/Quincy Ferry. For the rest of the season.
F8 Winthrop/Quincy Ferry weekend service has ended for the season. Visit MBTA.com/Ferry for current schedules.
MBTA alerts for Winthrop Ferry · Ask Cobblehop how to get around it
Service change (longer-running): Lynn Ferry. For the rest of the season.
F5 Lynn Ferry weekend service has ended for the season. Visit MBTA.com/Ferry for current schedules.
MBTA alerts for Lynn Ferry · Ask Cobblehop how to get around it
Service change (longer-running): Hingham Ferry and Hingham/Hull Ferry. For the rest of the season.
F2H Hingham/Hull Ferry weekend service has ended for the season. Visit MBTA.com/Ferry for current schedules.
MBTA alerts for Hingham Ferry · Ask Cobblehop how to get around it
Other bus routes
Detour: Route 455. All weekend, from start of service Friday, Oct 30, through end of service Sunday, Nov 1.
Route 455 outbound is detoured every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in October, from start to end of service, for Salem Haunted Happenings. Buses will terminate at Lafayette St @ Harbor St. There will be no service to Salem Depot.
Full MBTA alert
Skipped outbound stops:
Lafayette St @ Palmer St
Lafayette St @ Harbor St
New Derby St @ Klopp Alley
Washington St @ Church St
Salem
Skipped inbound stops:
Salem
North St @ Essex St
New Derby St opp Klop Alley
MBTA alerts for Route 455 · Ask Cobblehop how to get around it
Detour: Route 451. All weekend, from start of service Friday, Oct 30, through end of service Sunday, Nov 1.
Route 451 outbound is detoured every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in October, from start to end of service, for Salem Haunted Happenings. The first outbound stop after Salem Depot will be Bridge St @ Cromwell St, omitting Derby St and Winter St.
Full MBTA alert
Affected direction: Outbound
Affected stops:
Essex St @ Flint St
Essex St opp Monroe St
Essex St @ Hamilton st
Essex St @ Summer St
Washington St @ New Derby St
Washington St @ Church St
MBTA alerts for Route 451 · Ask Cobblehop how to get around it
Detour: Route 465. Saturday, Oct 31, from 6 PM until the end of service.
Route 465 is detoured on Saturday, October 31 from 6:00 PM until the end of service due to Salem Haunted Happenings. Service will originate/terminate at North St @ Mason St.
Full MBTA alert
Skipped outbound stops:
Salem
Skipped inbound stops:
Salem
MBTA alerts for Route 465 · Ask Cobblehop how to get around it
Detour: Route 119. Saturday, Oct 31, 8 AM to 3 PM.
Route 119 inbound is detoured and omitting the Beachmont Loop due to construction on Saturdays from 8 AM to 3 PM through Saturday, October 31. Service will originate/terminate at Winthrop Ave @ Beachmont Station.
Full MBTA alert
Skipped inbound stops:
Crescent Ave @ Winthrop Ave
Crescent Ave @ Orchard St
Crescent Ave @ Webster St
Crescent Ave @ Summer St
Crescent Ave @ Winthrop Pkwy
Endicott Ave opp Bradstreet Ave
200 Endicott Ave
Endicott Ave @ Waterview Ave
Endicott Ave @ Leverett Ave
Endicott Ave @ Atlantic Ave
MBTA alerts for Route 119 · Ask Cobblehop how to get around it
Detour: Route 450. All weekend, from start of service Friday, Oct 30, through end of service Sunday, Nov 1.
Route 450 is detoured every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in October, from start to end of service, for Salem Haunted Happenings.
Full MBTA alert
The closest stops with inbound connections are Salem Depot & Essex St opp Warren St. The closest stops with outbound connections are Essex St @ Warren St & Salem Depot.
Skipped inbound stops:
North St @ Essex St
Essex St @ Beckford St
Essex St @ Monroe St
Essex St @ Flint St
Skipped outbound stops:
Essex St @ Flint St
Essex St opp Monroe St
Essex St @ Hamilton st
Essex St @ Summer St
MBTA alerts for Route 450 · Ask Cobblehop how to get around it
Elevators out of service
As of Thursday, Oct 29, 1:25 AM ET, the MBTA reports these elevators out of service. Some may be fixed before the weekend. Check the MBTA elevator and accessibility alerts before you go, or turn on step-free routes in Cobblehop to route around them.
- Back Bay: Elevator 854 (Commuter Rail track 2 to lobby)
- Downtown Crossing: Elevator 869 (Alewife platform to Summer Street Concourse)
- Forest Hills: Elevator 841 (Commuter Rail platform to lobby)
- Kenmore: Elevator 972 (Park Street & North platform to lobby, busway)
- Natick Center: Elevator 751 (Track 2 to street)
- Revere Beach: Elevator 885 (Wonderland platform to lobby)
- Salem: Elevator 997 (Bridge St to parking garage to busway and platforms)
- South Acton: Elevator 704 (Track 1 (outbound platform) to pedestrian bridge)
- State: Elevator 803 (Forest Hills platform to Washington Street, Milk Street)
- Wonderland: Elevator 711 (Ocean Avenue to pedestrian plaza)
- Worcester: Elevator 781 (Platform to pedestrian bridge)
- Worcester: Elevator 782 (Parking lot to pedestrian bridge)
- Lynn Elevators 929 (Street to parking garage) and 930 (Street to parking garage) are unavailable until further notice.
- The Central Avenue mini-high platform (Ashmont side) is out of service.
Looking ahead: next weekend, Nov 7–8
Already announced by the MBTA (plans can change, so check back):
- Green Line (all branches): No trains between North Station & Babcock St (B), Cleveland Circle (C), Kenmore (D), & Heath St (E). All weekend, from start of service Saturday, Nov 7, through end of service Sunday, Nov 15.
- Fairmount Line: The Fairmount Line will operate on a temporary construction schedule with service reduced to hourly service to accommodate signal improvement work. Friday, Nov 6, all day.
- Framingham/Worcester Line: Framingham/Worcester Line service between Framingham and Boston will be replaced by shuttle bus to accommodate track improvement work. All weekend, from start of service Saturday, Nov 7, through end of service Sunday, Nov 8.
- Framingham/Worcester Line: A temporary construction schedule will be in effect on the Framingham/Worcester Line with reduced service and most trains making all stops to accommodate signal improvement work. Friday, Nov 6, all day.
- Franklin/Foxboro Line: Shuttle busses will replace Foxboro Line service between Foxboro and Walpole for a connection with scheduled Franklin Line trains. Friday, Nov 6, all day.
- Greenbush Line: Greenbush Line service will be terminate and originate at Braintree for Red Line service to accommodate signal improvement work. Friday, Nov 6, all day.
- Haverhill Line: Haverhill Line will be replaced by a shuttle bus between Reading & Oak Grove for Orange Line service & a shuttle bus between Reading and Anderson/Woburn for a Commuter Rail connection. All weekend, from start of service Saturday, Nov 7, through end of service Sunday, Nov 8.
- Haverhill Line: North Wilmington will be closed. All weekend, from start of service Saturday, Nov 7, through end of service Sunday, Nov 8.
- Kingston Line: Kingston Line service will be terminate and originate at Braintree for Red Line service to accommodate signal improvement work. Friday, Nov 6, all day.
- Needham Line: Until 11pm, Needham Line service will terminate at Forest Hills for Orange Line service to accommodate signal improvement work. Friday, Nov 6, from start of service to 11:59 PM.
- Providence/Stoughton Line: A temporary schedule will be in effect. Friday, Nov 6, all day.
- Route 39: Route 39 is detoured from 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM due to the BAA Half Marathon. Sunday, Nov 8, 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM.
MBTA this weekend: common questions
Which MBTA lines have changes this weekend?
Per the MBTA's alerts, these have planned changes for Oct 31–Nov 1: Green Line (all branches), Orange Line and Newburyport/Rockport Line. No changes are posted for the Red Line, Blue Line, Mattapan Line, Silver Line SL1, Silver Line SL3, Silver Line SL4, Silver Line SL5, Silver Line SLW, Fairmount Line, Fall River/New Bedford Line and more. This page refreshes every 10 minutes from MBTA alerts.
Is the Red Line running this weekend?
Yes. The MBTA has no planned shutdowns, shuttle buses or station closures posted for the Red Line for Oct 31–Nov 1, as of 1:25 AM ET on Thursday, Oct 29. Delays can still happen, so check live times before you go.
Is the Orange Line running this weekend?
Yes, with changes. Per the MBTA: Signal maintenance near Community College is planned to improve reliability. Riders may experience longer than usual wait times during this work (all weekend, from start of service Saturday, Oct 31, through end of service Sunday, Nov 1).
Is the Green Line running this weekend?
Partly. Per the MBTA: Green Line (all branches): No trains between North Station & Babcock St (B), Kenmore (C+D), & Heath St (E) (all weekend, from start of service Saturday, Oct 31, through end of service Sunday, Nov 1). Green Line C branch: Trains are not stopping at Brandon Hall through October 30 while accessibility upgrades are being done (until end of service Friday, Oct 30). Green Line C branch: Trains are skipping Saint Paul Street outbound through Nov 7 for accessibility upgrades (all weekend and beyond, through end of service Saturday, Nov 7). The rest of the line runs on its regular weekend schedule.
Are MBTA shuttle buses free?
Usually, yes. When the MBTA replaces trains with shuttle buses for planned work, the shuttles are normally free and accessible. Check the MBTA alert for each change. Some changes also make a nearby bus route or Commuter Rail stretch fare-free. Follow the signs and station staff to the shuttle stop, and allow extra time: shuttles are slower than trains.
Official sources
Everything on this page comes from the MBTA's public service alerts. Cobblehop is independent and isn't affiliated with the MBTA. Check the MBTA's pages for the latest:
- MBTA: service alerts
- MBTA: subway alerts
- MBTA: Commuter Rail alerts
- MBTA: bus alerts
- MBTA: ferry alerts
- MBTA: elevator and accessibility alerts
- MBTA: V3 API (the data behind this page)
Updated Thursday, Oct 29, 1:25 AM ET from MBTA service alerts, and refreshed every 10 minutes. Plans can change at short notice, so always check posted signs and announcements.
Going somewhere this weekend? Ask Cobblehop and it plans around the closures with live times, and alerts you before your stop. Try it free, no sign-up, nothing to install.