The MBTA is shutting down Blue Line service at 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday for the next two weeks. The early shutdown allows work crews to spend more time overnight replacing track. It’s a model the T has been using to expedite needed repairs throughout the system. As with other shutdowns, the T provides riders with shuttle buses, in this case to get between Government Center and Wonderland.
A random sampling of riders at Government Center station the morning after the nightly shutdowns began revealed few had a problem with the 8 p.m. closure and most said they understood why it was being done.
Joe Netto, who commutes from East Boston, said since he worked late on Monday night he had to take the bus. "But I don't think it's the worst thing in the world. I don't think it's a bad strategy. I think they'll get more done quicker."
Bruce Eastman of Boston thinks the inconvenience is worth the temporary early closures. “It makes me feel safer that they're taking precautions to make sure that it's going to be safer ultimately in the end," he said. "It's better than having any disasters happen. I think we all want to avoid that."
Judith Halloway from Revere has ridden the Blue Line for 40 years. She understands why the T is taking time at night to fix problems with the rails. “I think that's a good idea because otherwise you would have to close it all day, it's so disruptive. But at night, at least if they have a plan and the buses are here and if they run like they're supposed to, it should work.”
Katrina works near Government Center and says it has been a challenge to get a train back to East Boston. “I got out of work at like 8:30, so I've had to leave early and struggle to run out and try to get it.”
She also thinks a later closure at 9 p.m. would help: “Everything here shuts down at, like, 8. So, workers are leaving at like 8:30.”
Bonita Wilson of Boston says having the bus as an alternative is important. "Well, it's a good idea as long as they have the buses here. When we get off the train, the buses are here, and they have buses that go straight to Maverick Square. So that's good for me. It doesn't stop and it takes less time than if I stayed on the train.”
Most of the riders I talked with said they understand the T is broken and needs to be fixed so they’re willing to put up with the inconvenience so it can be.
