MBTA Closure Updates and Resources

Updated: 8/19/22

The MBTA Orange Line will be closed until September 18. Green Line service between Union Square and Government Center will also be replaced with MBTA shuttle buses from August 22 to September 18.

• If you can work from home during the closure, please do so, with your manager's permission.
• State and local officials are asking everyone to reduce driving in the Boston area during the closure.
• Share any concerns about how the closure will impact you with your manager or your HR business partner.

Tufts University continues to partner with Tufts Medical Center in discussions with city, state, and MBTA officials regarding alternative transportation options during the closures. Here’s what we know right now:

Free MBTA Shuttles
Orange Line shuttles will operate between Forest Hills and Back Bay/Copley as well as Oak Grove and State/Government Center. Take the Green Line between Government Center and Copley.

• Shuttles should arrive every 45 seconds during peak hours.
• Plan for shuttles to take longer than traditional Orange Line travel times.
• All shuttle vehicles will be ADA compliant. Some buses will have lowered floors, but the majority will have rear entry lifts.
• Wheelchair-accessible vans will be available upon request.

MBTA Alternate Routes and Services

• Review the MBTA’s Rider’s Guide to Planning Ahead (pdf).
• Explore Orange Line alternatives on the MBTA website.
• Use the MBTA’s Trip Planner tool to find alternative routes.

Cycling

• Bluebikes membership will be free for 30 days during the shutdown (and is always discounted for Tufts employees).
• Receive reimbursements for your own bicycle maintenance expenses through the university’s Health Sciences Campus GoMassCommute membership benefit.

Carpools and Vanpools
Make use of university commuter perks and benefits that are available for employees, including:

• Guaranteed Ride Home Program for emergencies (Boston campuses)
• Emergency Ride Home (Medford/Somerville and Grafton campuses)
• Carpool and rideshare commuter programs (Boston campuses)
• Use RideAmigos for carpool matching (Boston campuses)
• Vanpool subsidy/reimbursement (Boston campuses)
• Use discounted Zipcar membership or Turo to organize a carpool with other colleagues (all campuses) or students and receive reimbursements for fuel costs

Driving and Parking
If you must drive to the Boston Health Sciences campus for school or work:

• Anticipate increased traffic and parking scarcity.
• Consider offering to carpool if you already reserve a monthly parking space.
  • Support impacted colleagues and help reduce additional traffic.
  • Receive reimbursements through the university’s Health Sciences campus GoMassCommute membership carpool benefit.
• Some university employees who hold Tufts Medical Center IDs and purchase MBTA memberships through the Medical Center may be able to access free parking during very late or early shifts.

Medford/Somerville and SMFA Students and Families 

• Please anticipate that your journey to Tufts may take a little longer, including coming to campus from Logan.
• Getting around greater Boston, Somerville, and Medford is likely to take longer during this time.
• Please anticipate that your journey to Tufts may take a little longer, including coming to campus from Logan. 
• Tufts free shuttle services, including between the Medford/Somerville and SMFA campuses, begins on August 25.

For More Information:

• MBTA Rider’s Guide to Planning Ahead
• MBTA’s Trip Planner
• City of Boston Orange Line Shutdown
• Orange Line Track and Signal Upgrades (2022) | Projects | MBTA
• MBTA Schedules and Maps

We will continue to update this page as we learn more.
For unanswered questions about commuter benefits, email transportation@tufts.edu.
For parking-related questions, email parking@tufts.edu.