Part of the MBTA Green Line was shut down for more than two hours Monday afternoon due to a train that had a power issue related to a pantograph problem.A spokesperson for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority said that at about 2:20 p.m., an inbound Green Line train stopped as it was approaching Copley Station and was reported to have a damaged pantograph. A pantograph is the flexible, angled arm on the top trains that connects them to overhead power lines. While other MBTA subway lines use a third-rail system to power the trains, the Green Line uses overhead power. A third rail, which is dangerous to touch, could not be used safely on the Green Line with street-level stations and numerous road crossings. The MBTA spokesperson said 46 riders were on the Green Line train when it became disabled. Those riders disembarked and were safely escorted about 100 feet to the inbound platform at Copley with the assistance of Green Line personnel.Transit police officers and Boston firefighters responded as a precaution, according to the MBTA spokesperson, and no injuries were reported.The MBTA said shuttle buses replaced Green Line service between Kenmore and Haymarket while repairs were made to the disabled train Monday afternoon.Service on the B Branch of the Green Line was suspended between Babco*ck Street and Government Center. The MBTA told those riders to use the Route 57 bus to get to Kenmore and then transfer to shuttle buses for continued service into downtown Boston.Service on the Green Line's E Branch, meanwhile, was suspended between Heath Street and Government Center. The MBTA told those riders to use the Route 39 bus from Heath Street to Copley and then transfer to shuttle buses for continued service downtown. The MBTA announced shortly before 4:40 p.m. that regular Green Line service had resumed between Kenmore and Haymarket after repairs were made to the disabled train at Copley. The pantograph problem on the Green Line also impacted Orange Line riders trying to get into downtown Boston, as the MBTA has suspended Orange Line service between Back Bay and Wellington through Thursday due to bridge and track work.Those Orange Line riders had been advised to either use shuttle buses between Wellington and North Station, or use the Green Line between North Station and Copley — which was not an option during the service suspension caused by the pantograph problem. The MBTA spokesperson said the agency is investigating the root cause of the pantograph problem that disabled the Green Line train near Copley.In October 2023, there were four different power-related issues on the Green Line within a week's span, three of which were pantograph problems. The MBTA Blue Line, which uses the third rail while underground but pantograph power above ground, experienced a pantograph problem on March 22.Related story:
BOSTON —
Part of the MBTA Green Line was shut down for more than two hours Monday afternoon due to a train that had a power issue related to a pantograph problem.
A spokesperson for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority said that at about 2:20 p.m., an inbound Green Line train stopped as it was approaching Copley Station and was reported to have a damaged pantograph.
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A pantograph is the flexible, angled arm on the top trains that connects them to overhead power lines. While other MBTA subway lines use a third-rail system to power the trains, the Green Line uses overhead power. A third rail, which is dangerous to touch, could not be used safely on the Green Line with street-level stations and numerous road crossings.
The MBTA spokesperson said 46 riders were on the Green Line train when it became disabled. Those riders disembarked and were safely escorted about 100 feet to the inbound platform at Copley with the assistance of Green Line personnel.
Transit police officers and Boston firefighters responded as a precaution, according to the MBTA spokesperson, and no injuries were reported.
The MBTA said shuttle buses replaced Green Line service between Kenmore and Haymarket while repairs were made to the disabled train Monday afternoon.
Service on the B Branch of the Green Line was suspended between Babco*ck Street and Government Center. The MBTA told those riders to use the Route 57 bus to get to Kenmore and then transfer to shuttle buses for continued service into downtown Boston.
Service on the Green Line's E Branch, meanwhile, was suspended between Heath Street and Government Center. The MBTA told those riders to use the Route 39 bus from Heath Street to Copley and then transfer to shuttle buses for continued service downtown.
The MBTA announced shortly before 4:40 p.m. that regular Green Line service had resumed between Kenmore and Haymarket after repairs were made to the disabled train at Copley.
The pantograph problem on the Green Line also impacted Orange Line riders trying to get into downtown Boston, as the MBTA has suspended Orange Line service between Back Bay and Wellington through Thursday due to bridge and track work.
Those Orange Line riders had been advised to either use shuttle buses between Wellington and North Station, or use the Green Line between North Station and Copley — which was not an option during the service suspension caused by the pantograph problem.
The MBTA spokesperson said the agency is investigating the root cause of the pantograph problem that disabled the Green Line train near Copley.
In October 2023, there were four different power-related issues on the Green Line within a week's span, three of which were pantograph problems. The MBTA Blue Line, which uses the third rail while underground but pantograph power above ground, experienced a pantograph problem on March 22.
Related story:
What is a pantograph and why does the MBTA Green Line use them?
