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. According to the T, the new microprocessor system requires less maintenance and reduces failures and train delays.

Commuter rail service out of North Station will be suspended on the following weekends, per Keolis:

• Jan. 3-4
• Jan. 17-18
• Jan. 24-25
• Jan. 31-Feb. 1
• Feb. 28-March 1
• March 7-8
• March 21-22
• March 28-29
• April 11-12
• April 24-27

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.

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.

Abby Patkin is a general assignment news reporter whose work touches on public transit, crime, health, and everything in between.