Massachusetts removes slow zones boosting transit efficiency and saving riders 2.4 million minutes daily

Governor Maura Healey and MBTA General Manager Phil Ng celebrated a significant milestone in Massachusetts' public transportation system during a recent government meeting, announcing the successful completion of a track improvement program that has eliminated slow zones for the first time in 20 years. This achievement is expected to greatly enhance the daily commuting experience for MBTA riders, returning valuable time to their lives.

Governor Healey expressed gratitude to the riders for their patience throughout the two-year project, emphasizing the importance of the improvements made under Ng's leadership. The removal of slow zones has resulted in substantial time savings for commuters, with reports indicating that riders are now saving an average of 2.4 million minutes each weekday. Specifically, the improvements have led to time reductions of four minutes on the Blue Line, nine minutes on the Green Line, 21 minutes on the Orange Line, and a full hour on the Red Line.

The governor highlighted that these time savings not only benefit individual riders but also contribute positively to the state's economy, estimating an economic boost of approximately $950,000 daily. Previously, slow zones were costing the state nearly $1 million each day in lost GDP.

As the MBTA continues to work on further enhancements, both Healey and Ng reaffirmed their commitment to improving the transit system for the people of Massachusetts. The governor concluded by acknowledging the ongoing efforts of the MBTA team and the positive impact these changes will have on the community, framing the improvements as a timely "Christmas present" for riders.