MBTA won't be running commuter rail to or from North Station most weekends through April

"The MBTA is kicking off 2026 with a blow to commuter rail riders, suspending trains to and from North Station on several weekends from January through April. The diversion allows for necessary signal improvement work just outside North Station, according to Keolis, which operates the commuter rail for the MBTA. The project will replace an "obsolete" signal system that controls the flow of commuter rail and Amtrak trains in and out of North Station, the MBTA added."

"Commuter rail service out of North Station will be suspended on the following weekends, per Keolis: On the Newburyport/Rockport Line, local and express shuttle buses will replace regular trains between North Station and Swampscott, according to Keolis. Local buses will service Wonderland for a Blue Line connection. Lowell Line riders will also be able to take local and express shuttle buses between North Station and Anderson/Woburn Station."

"Lowell Line riders will also be able to take local and express shuttle buses between North Station and Anderson/Woburn Station. Meanwhile, Orange Line service will replace commuter rail trains between North Station and Oak Grove on the Haverhill Line, while Red Line to Green Line service will replace Fitchburg Line trains between North Station and Porter. The MBTA has also urged riders to budget extra travel time if relying on the subway or shuttle buses."

MBTA will suspend commuter rail service to and from North Station on several weekends between January and April 2026 to allow signal improvement work. Keolis, which operates the commuter rail, said the project will replace an obsolete signal system that controls commuter rail and Amtrak flows in and out of North Station with a new microprocessor system. The new system requires less maintenance and aims to reduce failures and delays. Shuttle buses and substitute subway services will replace trains on affected lines, including Newburyport/Rockport, Lowell, Haverhill and Fitchburg. Riders are urged to budget extra travel time when using shuttles or subways.

Read at Boston.com