At the request of health care institutions, the MBTA agreed to keep service running – on all modes – until 8 a.m. Sunday so that medical professionals and support staff can get to their jobs before the worst of the storm batters the area.
Anyone else thinking about using the MBTA tomorrow morning, remember that service stops after 8 a.m., so plan accordingly, said a spokesman for the T.
The MBTA tried to keep on track with Hurricane Irene approaching, debating whether or not to cancel services completely on Sunday for passengers on the bus and trains.
But after talking with the National Weather Service, the T went the way of New York City and Philadelphia transit and decided to shut down their system when the storm is expected to hit the city.
After reviewing information with the National Weather Service, the MBTA suspended all modes of transportation for Sunday, August 28, after 8 a.m.
This includes Commuter trains, subway service, and buses in and around the city.
“With severe winds, heavy rain, and flooding forecast for metropolitan Boston, this decision has been made with the safety of customers and employees being the MBTA’s top priority at all times,” the MBTA said in a press release.
By suspending services on both the Commuter Rail lines and the underground trains and local bus routes, personnel can concentrate all of their efforts on making sure the transit system, from subway to bus to commuter rail, is up and running at the start of Monday morning’s commute, they said.
The T will have emergency buses on standby, however, in case their is a mandatory emergency evacuation of any city or town in the region.
SIDENOTE: For The RIDE customers, only trips of a necessary medical nature will be made. A RIDE customer, who meets this criteria, should contact his/her specific provider.
