Photo: WBZ NewsRadio Archive
SOMERVILLE, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) said it will reduce Green Line trolley services this summer starting Saturday.
About 2% of trains will be taken off the tracks as crews begin works on the Green Line Train Protection System project (GLTPS).
Several Green Line riders said they're happy to accommodate with service changes.
“2% for more safety down the road that seems like an alright trade off to me,” one T-rider told WBZ NewsRadio.
According to the MBTA, this $113 million project will add new safety features that monitor drivers' speeds, alert about nearby trolleys, and even stop the trains automatically.
This is all part of the agency’s plan to curb train-on-train collisions and improve travel times.
Read more: 'GLTPS': MBTA To Install Crash-Prevention Technology On Green Line
“Given how long we waited to get the Green Line out there, I’m willing to take a little bit of delays to have it run great,” another T-rider said.
This comes after two trains on the Green Line E branch collided head-on at East Somerville station in February and a derailment of another E branch train at Lechmere station in October 2024.
The NTSB conducted investigations and concluded that speeding and lack of stop signals contributed to both accidents.
One Green Line rider said she welcomes the MBTA's plan to reform the system “especially if the safety is then long-lasting.”
Another Bostonian said safety should always be a top priority in public transit. “I think it’s totally worth it if it’s a safety issue.”
WBZ NewsRadio's Kyle Bray (@KyleBrayWBZ) reports.