MBTA announces service changes, suspensions throughout May

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A long list of closures will occur on the Red Line, Green Line, Blue Line, Mattapan Line and some rail lines.

Written by Darren Zullo

April 19, 2026 | 11:20 am

3 minutes to read

It’s no surprise to most Boston commuters that a new month means a new round of MBTA closures. The transportation agency has only Announce Various suspensions for the month of May.

Services on the red line, green line, Blue lineThe Mattapan Line and some rail lines will be affected throughout the month. Read on to find out if closures will impact your commute in May.

Red line

While the MBTA completes testing on the new Red Line Digital signage systemThere will be several service suspensions throughout the month. From May 2 to 4, service on the Braintree Branch from Broadway to Quincy Center will be suspended.

During this closure, free shuttle buses will run between Broadway and Quincy Center, and rail trains from South Station to Braintree will also be free, according to the MBTA. Toll gates will be open at both transfer points, as well as JFK/UMass, for passengers traveling on the Ashmont branch.

From approximately 6pm on May 14 until May 18, service will be suspended at the Ashmont branch between Broadway and Ashmont. Free shuttles will be available, and riders at the Braintree Branch will need to be shuttled between Broadway and JFK/UMass, where toll gates will be open.

Finally, service in both previously closed areas will be suspended from May 29 to May 31, the MBTA said. Shuttle buses will again be available, and a free rail service will run from South Station to Braintree.

Green line

The Green Line will be closed twice in May while the MBTA installs it Train protection system On the C and E branches. From May 6 to May 17, service on Branch C between Kenmore and Cleveland Circle will be suspended.

Shuttle buses will replace the service, but will not be available on St. Mary’s Street, Kent Street, or Brandon Hall, according to the MBTA. Additional trains will be added to the nearby D Branch to account for the unavailability of C Branch service.

From May 30 to June 5, service on Branch E between Government Center and Heath Street will be closed. Instead, passengers will have to take the Route 39 bus, to which additional service will be added.

Blue line

Blue Line service will be suspended the weekend of May 9-10 as the MBTA makes infrastructure upgrades and track renovations. This weekend, the line between Bowdoin and the airport will be closed.

Free shuttles will be available at the airport, Maverick and Haymarket only, according to the MBTA. They won’t stop at the Aquarium, State, Government Center or Bowdoin.

The East Boston Ferry, which departs every 15 to 30 minutes, will also be free to passengers. Toll gates will also be opened at all stations between the airport and Wonderland.

Mattapan Line

The Mattapan Line will discontinue service between Ashmont and Mattapan from approximately 6pm on May 14 until May 16. During this time, the MBTA will complete power work at the Codman Yard facility.

The MBTA said free shuttle buses will run between the two stations while the line is closed. Riders are also encouraged to take the Commuter Rail Fairmount Line from the Blue Hill Avenue station.

Passenger railways

Speaking of rail, the New Bedford/Fall River, Greenbush, and Kingston lines will be suspended between South Station and Braintree (via Quincy Center) during the weekend of May 9-10. The MBTA said it will use this time to perform maintenance on the Old Colony lines.

Passengers have been asked to take the Red Line instead between South Station and Braintree (via Quincy Centre). Prior to closing, a custom conversion schedule will be posted here.

The Framingham/Worcester line between Worcester and Grafton will also be suspended May 16-17, according to the MBTA. While the infrastructure works are being completed this weekend, free shuttle buses will be available between the two stations.