BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Sumner Tunnel is closed until the end of August, which means commuters can ride the Blue Line for free.
This is meant to help alleviate traffic in East Boston during the eight-week shutdown. Blue Line riders will not have to tap their Charlie Cards whenever they enter the station—all fare gates will remain open until the shutdown ends on Aug. 31. Many riders think making the Blue Line free during the shutdown is a good idea.
"I think it's a good alternative," one rider said. "I don't think you can expect people to pay for this considering everybody is going to be taking it now."
The tunnel is shutting down to allow for restoration and upgrades to the nearly one-hundred-year-old tunnel. The tunnel is one of the three tunnels that service East Boston and is a vital artery for people looking to get to downtown Boston and I-93 when leaving Logan Airport.
MassDOT has been pushing for people not to drive to Logan during the shutdown, instead calling on them to use the Blue Line, free ferry services, busses, or reduced fares on the Commuter Rail to get in and out of East Boston. Some riders think making the Blue Line free will encourage people not to drive to the tunnel.
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"I think it's a great idea," one rider said. "[It will] cut down on the traffic. Not bad at all."
Some Blue Line riders are worried, however, about a possible influx in riders who do not normally take the train to commute.
"It's going to be more crowded," one rider said. "Otherwise it should be fine. Hopefully, they'll increase the trains."
WBZ's James Rojas (@JamesRojasNews) reports.
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