Commutes on Boston's North Side are getting quicker as the Orange Line is picking up speed, a change transit officials say will also bring substantially more weekday service.
Here's what to know
According to The Boston Globe, Orange Line trains north of North Station were cleared to hit 55 mph. The update covered service between Assembly Station in Somerville and North Station in Boston, giving riders a faster commute.
Phil Eng, general manager of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and interim transportation secretary, said Orange Line riders should expect "76% more service every weekday compared to winter in 2023."
The Orange Line has been associated with reduced speeds and operational limits, particularly for commuters traveling through Boston, Somerville, and Malden, the newspaper reported. The higher top speed allows trains to move more efficiently through this part of the line.
"Today we are proud to deliver improvements that will make travel even more efficient, giving riders back more time in their days," Eng said in a statement, per the Globe.
More background
The highest speed anywhere on the MBTA network had been 40 mph. The agency already rolled out a similar increase on the section between Oak Grove and Assembly.
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Riders traveling through multiple northern Orange Line stops could feel the difference across a large portion of their commutes.
Faster trains and more weekday service can mean shorter travel times, less waiting, and more dependable trips.
What's being done?
These faster trips stem from the MBTA's 2024 track improvement program, during which the agency replaced miles of worn track and ties and removed many speed restrictions.
The project also included signal upgrades to support safe operation at higher speeds. Because signals affect both train movement and spacing, those improvements can also help service run more consistently.
The work featured replacing old train cars as well.
The projects are part of a broader push to improve the system. Gov. Maura Healey said the work reflects her administration's commitment to riders.
"When we took office, we made a commitment to fix the T and deliver the faster, safer, and more reliable service that riders deserve. We're going to keep building on this progress and delivering better service for riders across the entire system," she stated, per the Globe.
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