Local News

T apologizes after disabled Red Line train delays riders amid heat emergency

Someone pulled an emergency stop lever on a Red Line train Tuesday, disabling the train and causing rippling delays for riders already battling a heat wave.

By Abby Patkin

July 17, 2024

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The MBTA has apologized to Red Line riders after a disabled train near Downtown Crossing resulted in delays Tuesday afternoon, leaving some commuters huddled on crowded platforms amid an ongoing heat emergency. 

The MBTA initially reported the downed train in a 3:24 p.m. alert on X, warning riders of 15-minute delays and possible standbys. Before long, the delays had grown to 30 minutes. 

“The MBTA apologizes to Red Line riders whose commutes were significantly disrupted by the incident at Downtown Crossing,” the agency said in a statement. “MBTA personnel worked as fast as possible to rectify the situation.”

The train became disabled after someone onboard pulled an emergency stop lever, according to the MBTA. Workers attempted to overcome a propulsion and power issue with the train for more than 45 minutes before they eventually asked riders to exit and brought in a second train to push the disabled one along, according to the T. 

No one required medical attention. 

Red Line service was back up and running by 4:09 p.m. with residual delays of about 20 minutes, the MBTA wrote on X. The delay had cleared by 6:37 p.m. 

Tuesday’s hiccup came in the midst of a partial Red Line closure, and on the second day of Boston’s heat emergency. With temperatures soaring into the 90s, the T posted on X earlier in the day to reassure riders the agency is “on the lookout for heat-related stress on our infrastructure.”

“On summer’s hottest days, we may operate trains at reduced speeds in some areas to compensate for heat-related stress on the tracks, which could result in slightly longer travel times,” the MBTA’s extreme weather travel guide explains. “We’ll also have crews stationed around the system to provide assistance.”

Per the guide, air conditioning on MBTA vehicles is “checked often and repaired as needed.” As for stations? The T ensures every available fan is activated and operational, according to the MBTA.