Updates from Mass DCR on state parks & MBTA on service | April 2, 2020

Below aew statements we received from the MBTA & Mass DCR on Thursday, April 2, 2020.

See other COVID-19 related posts by clicking here.
See our running list of announcements for Lynn by visiting bit.ly/LynnCOVID19.

Today, Governor Baker announced an order to close all coastal beach reservation parking areas managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). This order is effective at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, April 3, 2020.

Also effective at noon on Friday, April 3, 2020, DCR will open select seasonal state parks early and expand access at other parks to provide additional open space opportunities and alternatives to popular state parks. Coastal parkways that provide access to state beaches will also be closed to both parking and dropping off passengers, but state beaches will remain open to pedestrians for transitory use only (walking, jogging, biking, solitary fishing, etc.).

Read the order here: https://www.mass.gov/doc/april-2-2020-beaches-order/download

MBTA Announces Service Update Effective Monday, April 6

MBTA continues to discourage all non-essential travel.

Targeted adjustments being made to bus routes in order to improve social distancing, and to best serve health care communities and other essential services; other modes not affected. 

Customers encouraged to visit mbta.com/coronavirus for full details.

The MBTA has announced additional bus service adjustments in a continuing effort to provide transit services for essential health care workers while protecting the health and safety of the T’s customers and workforce.

“These further revisions will continue to support critical travel needs of those who are essential to slowing the spread of this virus. These revisions, along with the additional precautions we are implementing to protect the health and safety of our workforce, will ensure we can continue to provide critical transportation services,” said MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak. “I want to reiterate my deep gratitude to our workforce. Despite the COVID-19 outbreak, our workforce continues to show up day after day to serve a purpose that is absolutely essential to combating this crisis.”

Effective Monday, April 6, the MBTA will update the modified Saturday service bus schedules currently in place with several routes added that directly serve health care communities within the areas of Longwood Medical in Boston, Steward Satellite Emergency Facility (formerly the Quincy Medical Center) in Quincy, and the Lawrence Memorial Hospital campus in Medford. Daily bus service schedules will also start earlier and/or frequency will be increased on bus routes where high ridership has been observed in an effort to increase social distance, protecting the health and safety of riders and the MBTA’s operators. Several weekday express routes with very low ridership will also temporarily no longer operate.

These changes are specifically intended to meet the needs of the health care community and are intended to result in less crowding for the MBTA’s bus operators. As a key component of ensuring continuity of service for essential individuals and as part of the MBTA’s process of monitoring ridership in order to make service adjustments, the MBTA continues to strongly discourage all non-essential travel and supports social distancing in order to slow the spread of COVID-19.

No other service modes are affected by these changes. For complete service information, visit mbta.com/coronavirus.

Buses: 

Most bus routes will continue to operate a modified Saturday schedule, including additional service on busier routes during peak travel times. Beginning at the start of service on Monday, April 6, the following will take effect:

• Route 710 will continue to operate regular weekday service. Routes 19 and 245 will also begin to operate regular weekday service. These routes directly serve essential medical workers and health care communities.
• Route 7 will now operate a regular Saturday service.
• Routes 352, 354, and 504 will operate modified weekday service.
• Due to very low ridership and/or the availability of alternative travel options, Routes 325, 326, 351, and 501 will temporarily no longer operate.

The MBTA will continue to monitor and assess ridership needs as this situation evolves, tracking customer volumes and making service adjustments accordingly. The MBTA’s main focus is providing service to medical providers and other essential workers. Again, the MBTA discourages all other unnecessary travel.

Other Modes and Services:

• Subway: The MBTA continues to operate Saturday service on the Red Line, Orange Line, and Green Line B, C, and D Branches. The Blue Line and Green Line E Branch are currently operating Saturday service with increased frequency to reflect ridership demand.
• Commuter Rail: The MBTA continues to operate modified Reduced Service Schedules on all lines.
• Ferry: No ferry lines are currently operating. Customers are encouraged to use trip planner to find an alternate route.
• The RIDE: The RIDE continues to operate with several temporary service updates that include the elimination of shared RIDE trips, temporarily extending RIDE eligibility and postponing eligibility appointments, adjustments to booking windows, updates to subscriptions, and a reduction in transfer trips. Customers should visit mbta.com/coronavirus for more information.
• The RIDE Eligibility Center (TREC) is currently closed. Customers should visitmbta.com for assistance.
• The CharlieCard Store is currently closed. Customers in need of assistance should call Customer Support at 617-222-3200.

Enhanced Cleaning and Disinfecting:

In addition to encouraging good hygiene practices and social distancing, the MBTA is continuing its enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols, which includes:

• Rear-door boarding on all MBTA buses and trolleys at street-level stops on the Green Line and Mattapan Line in support of social distancing efforts to protect the health and safety of the MBTA’s workforce and customers. Anyone needing to use the front door, including seniors and people with disabilities, may continue to do so.
• Disinfecting all fleet vehicles – buses, trolleys, subway cars, Commuter Rail coaches, ferries, and RIDE vehicles – every twenty-four hours, and protocols to clean and disinfect all high-contact surfaces on buses during mid-day layover periods.
• Cleaning all high-contact surfaces such as handrails, fare gates, and fare vending machines in subway stations once every four hours.

The MBTA continues to follow guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, with the MBTA encouraging its riders and the public to:

• Wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least twenty seconds;
• Cover coughs and sneezes;
• Stay home if sick;
• Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth;
• Clean areas that are frequently touched with sanitizing spray or wipes.

MBTA riders and Massachusetts residents are encouraged to visit mass.gov/COVID19 for information on COVID-19 and mass.gov/KnowPlanPrepare for additional preparedness tips.

For more information, please visit mbta.com/coronavirus, mass.gov/COVID19, andmass.gov/KnowPlanPrepare, or connect with the T on Twitter @MBTA, Facebook/TheMBTA, or Instagram @theMBTA.