(Mario Jarjour/WBZ NewsRadio)
WORCESTER, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — An MBTA Commuter Rail Worcester Line Train 504 was cancelled Tuesday morning due to a mechanical problem, causing delays throughout the morning commute.
The MBTA went so far as to urge commuters to take Greyhound or Peter Ban buses to get into Boston because of the cancellation.
“Passengers may also use Amtraks Lake Shore Limited train to South Station,” the MBTA wrote in a tweet.
Keolis spokesperson Tory Mazzola said the recommendation to use other agencies' transit options was not typical, but was necessary because the typical solution—alternative busing provided by the MBTA—wouldn't have worked with this volume of ridership.
“This is a unique case because a major delay occurred during rush hour when a train can have 1,800 passengers on board, and it occurred at a location that is challenging for the MBTA and Keolis to provide alternative busing due to road congestion," he said. “In these unique cases when alternative busing cannot be provided, our next approach is to recommend an additional commuter rail train, line or station, and after that we at times provide information on other private options."
Tuesday’s cancellation caused delays, some close to an hour, for other trains departing from Worcester, including the Worcester Line 506 and 508 trains.
Mazzola said they will review reimbursement requests by passengers who intended to take the cancelled train and took Amtrak or Peter Pan buses "on a case-by-case basis."
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