In a rare win for Boston’s notoriously slow-and-steady subway system, the MBTA’s Orange Line is now hitting 55 mph.
As of Sunday, August 24, trains between Oak Grove and Assembly can finally recapture the fast lane they were designed for after decades of track decline had them lumbering along at a max of 40 mph. Hardly the commute that anybody wants.
Riders are already clocking the difference. What once felt like a sluggish crawl now whips by noticeably quicker. Across the roughly four-station stretch, the difference in time spent is between “snail-pace” and “blink-and-you’ll-miss-it” hustle.
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This milestone is a result of a relentless infrastructure overhaul. Over the past two years, the MBTA’s Track Improvement Program has replaced 250,000 feet of track and eliminated more than 220 speed restrictions systemwide. That’s eliminated slow zones and paved the literal way for trains to hit their full potential. Or at least what they were initially built for.
“Under the leadership of Governor Healey and Lt. Governor Driscoll we have focused on rebuilding our transportation network, improving quality of life for all. In 2024 we eliminated speed restrictions and restored maximum allowable speed for the entire Orange Line and now are ready to further shorten trip times giving our riders back even more precious time,” MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng said in a statement. “I’m proud of the MBTA leadership team and our invaluable workforce for their commitment to continuously improve our system for our riders. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank the public for their patience during diversions that allow for service improvements such as this. We’ve only just begun.”
That sentiment was echoed by Governor Maura Healey, who highlighted how commuters can now reclaim moments for “family and friends, cooking a meal, taking the dog for a walk, or catching a ball game." (That's a lot of chores, but we get the general idea.)
As the Orange Line crosses that new speed threshold, the trains aren't just faster. The ride actually feels like the ending of stagnation and the beginning of a fresher, more modern public transit model for Boston. Especially since we now even have trains that run after 1am!