Station Improvements Project Coming to Needham and Fairmount Lines for 5 Weekends, Starting August 11

The MBTA has announced a new Station Improvements Project aimed at enhancing the customer experience in stations across the MBTA system.

Improvements will be specific to each station, including in-depth lighting upgrades, station power washing, and overgrown vegetation clearing among other station improvements. The first stations to receive these improvements are those along the Needham and Fairmount Lines, with this work taking place during 5 consecutive weekends from August 11 – September 9, 2018.

"As part of our goal to improve the customer experience throughout the MBTA system, we are launching this station revitalization initiative at T and Commuter Rail facilities," said MBTA General Manager Luis Manuel Ramírez. "In addition to the significant investments we are making to improve system reliability, these aesthetic and safety upgrades at stations will further enhance our customers’ travels."

"Our teams work hard continuously to keep Commuter Rail stations and the railroad right of way in good condition," said Keolis General Manager and CEO David Scorey. "With these short-term weekend closures, we will be able to go even further in improving the appearance and upkeep of the lines for passengers, helping to make it more pleasant for existing riders and hopefully more welcoming for new riders."

Station Improvements

Much like the MBTA's commitment to investing in infrastructure improvements, the MBTA has also committed to improving the commutes of its riders by upgrading and enhancing the stations it serves.

Additional Commuter Rail and subway lines will be scheduled in the coming months to receive the same enhancements. 

During the 5 weekends, crews will:

• repaint yellow lines where needed
• replace signage and old MBTA system maps
• repair stairways and concrete
• perform landscaping work
• replace bike racks where present
• remove graffiti if present
• remove trash along track areas
• perform other station-specific improvements

Fairmount Line: Weekend Bus Shuttles

In order to complete these station enhancements, all weekend Fairmount Line train service from South Station to Readville Station will be replaced with alternate bus shuttle service in both directions  Saturday, August 11, – Sunday, September 9.

For the Fairmount Line, the existing bus shuttles in place to accommodate the construction of Blue Hill Avenue Station will be expanded to cover all the stations between Readville and South Station. Blue Hill Avenue Station construction will continue to occur during these 5 weekends.

Needham Line: No Saturday Service

Saturday train service on the Needham Line will be suspended for station enhancements Saturday, August 11 – Saturday, September 8 (the Needham Line does not operate on Sundays).

During this time, customers are instead encouraged to utilize alternate MBTA services that exist nearby:

• Needham Heights, Needham Center, and Needham Junction customers are instead encouraged to utilize the Route 59 bus, which connects to Newton Highlands on the Green Line D branch and to Watertown Square.
• West Roxbury, Highland, Bellevue, and Roslindale Village customers are instead encouraged to utilize Route 35, 36, and 37, which connect to and from Forest Hills on the Orange Line, offering connections to Ruggles and Back Bay.
• Hersey Station customers are encouraged to instead travel to Needham Junction or West Roxbury for connections to noted area bus service. 

More Information