MBTA Blue Line Free for Summer as Sumner Tunnel Closes

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) announced that the Blue Line will be free to ride from July 5th through August 31st. The move is part of a plan to mitigate the impact of the Sumner Tunnel being closed to automobile traffic for repairs.

The Sumner Tunnel, which runs beneath Boston Harbor and connects downtown Boston with East Boston, will be closed to automobile traffic from July 5th through August 31st. The closure is expected to cause significant delays for drivers.

To help mitigate the impact of the closure, the MBTA is offering free rides on the Blue Line from July 5th through August 31st. The gates will be open at all stations.

The MBTA is also planning to increase service on the Blue Line during the closure. The agency is adding more trains and running them more frequently.

The MBTA is urging riders to plan ahead and allow extra time for their commutes during the closure. Riders can also get real-time updates on service changes by following the MBTA on Twitter or by checking the MBTA website.

In addition to the free rides, the MBTA is also offering a number of other services to help commuters during the Sumner Tunnel closure. These services include:

• East Boston Ferry: The East Boston Ferry will be free during the closure of the Sumner Tunnel.
• Tolls: Reduced Tolls for the Tobin Bridge and Ted Williams Tunnel for “those registered in the Resident Discount Program”.
• Parking: MBTA parking lots and garages on the Blue Line will be reduced to $2 a day
• Bike Sharing: The MBTA is offering free bike sharing passes to Blue Line riders. The passes can be used to rent bikes from any of the MBTA’s bike sharing stations.
• Commuter Rail: Fares from Salem and Swampscott on the Commuter Rail will be $2 to $2.40; free parking will be offered at lots north of Salem, including Beverly, Gloucester, Hamilton/Wenham, Newburyport, North Beverly, Monserrat, Rowley, and West Gloucester.

The MBTA is also working with businesses in East Boston to make sure that they are prepared for the Sumner Tunnel closure. The agency is providing businesses with information about the closure and is working with them to develop contingency plans.

The Sumner Tunnel closure is a major inconvenience for drivers and businesses in East Boston. However, the MBTA is taking a number of steps to mitigate the impact of the closure. The free rides, increased service, and other services hopefully help make the closure less disruptive.