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MBTA Riders In Long Lines, Short On Patience

BOSTON (CBS/AP) — The MBTA returned with limited service Wednesday morning, but commuters struggled with long lines, crowded buses and trains, and irritating delays.

All T service had been shut down for more than 24 hours as crews cleared snow and ice that had built up on the tracks from recent storms.

Check: MBTA Updates

The T had fewer cars and less frequent service on the Green and Blue lines Wednesday and only about 70 percent of regularly-scheduled commuter rail trips were made.

The Red Line is running only between Alewife and Ashmont stations with buses only between the JFK and Braintree stops. The MBTA said that shuttles will replace Braintree rail service until Sunday.

Orange Line service is also limited.

Making matters worse, shuttle buses are getting stuck in traffic.

Wollaston Station Line
A line of commuters waiting for shuttle buses at Wollaston Station. (Photo credit: Nicole Jacobs-WBZ NewsRadio 1030)

"We doubled the number of buses on the shuttle to 50, but traffic is gridlocked, and the buses are struggling to get up and down the travel corridor parallel to the Red Line," MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo told WBZ-TV.

With limited bus service available, the T is asking customers to consider commuter rail options that run parallel to the Red Line tracks.

Riders who are getting off trains at North and South Stations are being asked to walk if possible, because the subway lines are packed.

MBTA General Manager Beverly Scott says she cannot guarantee the reliability of the aging transit system, especially if more snow falls as forecast over the next few days.

Gov. Charlie Baker hopes to meet with T officials on Thursday.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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