BOSTON (WHDH) - Riders are already experiencing confusion and frustration about the Orange Line shutdown ahead of the first work week commutes on replacement shuttle bus service.
Saturday was the first full day of shuttle service, and riders are already worrying about longer commutes and disruptions.
“I’m going to have to get up a little bit early so I can arrive on time to work,” commuter Willie Santa said.
One rider said that her bus driver seemed lost.
Alexa D’Arienzo said her driver read directions aloud as she drove, and even had to pull over a couple times because she didn’t know where she was going. She also said the driver didn’t seem equipped to drive the large bus in a city. D’Arienzo contacted the MBTA with her concerns.
In a statement, the MBTA told 7NEWS that drivers ran their assigned routes at least five times before taking passengers, in addition to classroom training. Staff from the bus company, Yankee, are also on hand to assist at each stop, the spokesperson said.
Some of the 100,000 Orange Line riders are skeptical that the line will only close for 30 days to address issues. Other riders think that the MBTA should have tackled the issues on the Orange Line earlier.
“I feel like they should have done this a long time ago,” commuter Tamah Headen said. “Doing this now when school’s about to start, when people are still struggling to get to work with buses that barely run on time and trains that already barely run on time. It’s a struggle.”
The T is encouraging people to take alternative transportation options such as other public transit services like the Commuter Rail to eliminate traffic congestion. The city is also offering bike options for commuters as an alternative during the shutdown.
In a press conference on Saturday, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu stressed the importance of the MBTA improving the Orange Line and said that the city is trying its best to lessen the impact the shutdown will have on commuters.
“We’re making every possible tweak that we can,” Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said.
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