Travel Advisory: MBTA Red Line Service Disruptions July 21-30
Please allow significant extra travel time during this service closure. The MBTA predicts that trips on replacement shuttles may take up to 70 minutes or more between Park St. and Alewife. Make sure to plan accordingly!
128BC/GRID SHUTTLE PLANS
All 128BC/The Grid shuttles will operate on their regular schedules from Alewife Station during the Red Line closure. However, due to operational constraints, shuttles cannot be extended or diverted to serve other MBTA stations. Shuttle Dispatch and 128BC will monitor conditions throughout the closure and adjust departures from Alewife Station as needed.
Please allow ample extra time for your commute and be aware of your route‘s later departure options in case of significant delays.
ROUTE-SPECIFIC ALTERNATIVES
- Limited additional Alewife shuttle service for A1–A6 riders will be available during the closure. More details will be shared next week.
- Commuters who use the A5 and A6: Alewife Shuttle routes may wish to consider the W1: Waltham Shuttle from Waltham Center station (buses and commuter rail) as well.
- For selected stops on the A1, A2, and A3: Alewife Shuttle routes, the MBTA’s Route 61 bus also connects to Waltham Center.
- R2: REV Bus Lexington Center Express riders can use the MBTA bus routes 62 and 76 between Lexington Center and Alewife. These run every 15 minutes at rush hour.
- Some R1: REV Bus Hartwell Area riders can also pick up Route 62 service at Bedford St & Hartwell Ave.
RED LINE REPLACECMENT SHUTTLES
Free, local MBTA shuttles will serve all closed stations between Park St. and Alewife. Again, trip times between Park St. and Alewife Station may take at least 70 minutes. Please plan ahead.
An express shuttle will be available between Harvard Square and the South Station Bus Terminal. Express shuttles will not serve Alewife directly. A transfer to the local shuttle will be required at Harvard to complete the trip to Alewife.
Should the MBTA’s plans change, 128BC will notify riders before the closure begins.
CYCLING OPTIONS
If you are interested in biking to Alewife, please note that each 128BC/Grid shuttle can only accommodate two bikes. However, there is ample space in the Alewife Station bike cages, which will remain open. In order to utilize a bike cage, you must register your CharlieCard for Pedal & Park. Bikes are not permitted inside 128BC/Grid shuttles.
Commuters should be aware that the direct walking/biking route between Davis Sq. and Alewife is closed for Alewife Linear Path reconstruction within the City of Cambridge. Walking and biking detours are available, but may take longer than the direct route. Detour options and full project details can be found on the Cambridge DPW website.
Also note that there are two BlueBike stations at Alewife Station (Steel Place and Russell Field), as well as additional stations on Cambridge Park Drive and the surrounding neighborhoods.
OTHER MBTA ROUTE OPTIONS
Other nearby MBTA bus routes may be useful alternatives to Red Line Shuttles.
- Bus Route 83 runs from Central Square to Rindge Ave (Russell Field – east entrance Alewife Station). Convenient to Central Sq., Inman Sq., and Porter Sq. neighborhoods. The stop near Russell Field is less than a five minute walk to 128BC/Grid shuttles.
- Bus Route 77 Mass Ave bus – Connects Harvard Sq. and Porter Sq. areas. Off-street walking path via Alewife Greenway Path.
- Bus Routes 74 / 78 Concord Ave near Wheeler St. is about a 13-15 minute walk from Alewife, via Alewife Brook Parkway. Buses operate to/from Harvard Sq. via Concord Ave.
- The Fitchburg Commuter Rail Line will be free between Porter Sq. and North Station during the closure.
Review the full details about this portion of the MBTA’s infrastructure upgrade project here.→
We appreciate your understanding and flexibility during this closure period!
