Boston MBTA Adds Shuttle Buses on Newburyport Line

MBTA replaces trains with shuttle buses between North Station and Swampscott

MBTA Adds Shuttle Buses on Newburyport Line

Commuters traveling between North Station and Swampscott will need to use shuttle buses instead of trains on the Newburyport/Rockport Line, transit officials said. The service replacement includes both local and express bus options to accommodate different travel needs. Local shuttle buses will stop at Wonderland station to provide connections to the Blue Line, while express buses will offer faster service between endpoints.

Service Modification Details

The shuttle bus replacement affects a key segment of the Newburyport/Rockport Line that serves several North Shore communities. Transit officials said the dual service approach aims to balance travel time with station access. Specific details about which intermediate stations will be served by local buses weren't available by publication time. The agency didn't provide information about the reason for the service change or whether it's related to track work, infrastructure improvements, or other operational needs.

Connection Options for Riders

Local shuttle buses will make stops at Wonderland station, where riders can transfer to the Blue Line for continued service into Boston. Officials didn't specify how many intermediate stops the local buses will serve between North Station and Swampscott. Express shuttle buses will provide faster service but the agency hasn't said which stops those buses will skip. The transit system didn't release information about expected travel times for either shuttle option compared to regular train service.

Implementation Timeline

Transit officials announced the shuttle bus service but didn't provide a specific start date or duration for the replacement service. The agency typically notifies riders several weeks before major service changes, though whether advance notice has been provided wasn't clear from available information. Officials haven't said whether this is a temporary replacement during construction or maintenance work, or a longer-term service modification.

Rider Impact and Information

Commuters should expect different travel times and boarding procedures with shuttle bus service compared to regular trains. Officials didn't provide guidance on how early riders should plan to arrive or whether additional buses will be added during peak hours. Riders can use Moovit for real-time updates on shuttle bus locations and Blue Line connections to help plan their trips during the service change.