The MBTA’s first new Orange Line train in over 30 years began serving riders on the morning of Wednesday, August 14, 2019. More trains are expected to enter service every few weeks until the entire fleet is replaced in 2022. Photo courtesy of the MBTA.
The MBTA's first new Orange Line train in decades started carrying passengers this morning after months of delays, to positive reviews and some spontaneous applause from riders:
Caught the newest @MBTA#OrangeLine train on its first revenue run! Bright clean interiors, wider doors, automated announcements... I can’t wait for more to finally go into service. There were a lot of happy faces on this train! #MBTA#NewTrainpic.twitter.com/afVhbPu2ir
We're on the new train. New car smell. More reporters than actual riders. Seats are nubby so you don't slide into neighbors. THE AIR CONDITIONING WORKS #orangeline
The new cars feature wider doors, which are expected to reduce dwell times at crowded stations, plus more room for wheelchairs and strollers and automated, easy-to-understand stop announcements and information screens.
The MBTA plans to add more new cars to the Orange Line service every few weeks for the next two to three years, until the line's entire fleet is replaced and expanded.
