Orange Line To Stay Offline For An Extra Week

MELROSE, MA — Shuttle buses will continue to replace a large section of the Orange Line through April 11, a one-week extension to allow for a track replacement at the site of a train derailment at Wellington Station.

Buses have been operating between Oak Grove and Sullivan Square since the March 16 derailment of one of the new Orange line trains. The MBTA initially said it would need three weeks to fix everything.

The extra week will allow for track replacement on both sides at Wellington.

No one was injured on the low-speed derailment, which occurred with about 100 passengers on board. But a track switch was "significantly damaged," leading to the shutdown for repairs. The MBTA said it would use the downtime to make other improvements along that stretch of the Orange Line.

The new Red and Orange Line cars have been taken out of service while the cause of the derailment is investigated.