COVID Illnesses Requires Reduction of MBTA Commuter Rail Service

To many employees are sick with COVID for Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority commuter rail to operate on its normal schedule.

1 minute read

December 11, 2020, 7:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

LnP images / Shutterstock

"Keolis Commuter Services, the company that operates [Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority] commuter rail, is temporarily reducing service by more than half due to low employee availability because of COVID-19 absences," reports Amanda Kaufman.

The MBTA Commuter Rail system will start its altered schedule on Monday.

The news of the system's system reductions are a tragic departure from the typical pandemic-related service reduction—either due to declining ridership or declining revenue, but transit operators were particularly prone to infection during the early days of the pandemic, in New York City in particular. Sound Transit in Seattle also announced service reductions earlier this month due to high numbers of ill employees.

Thursday, December 10, 2020 in The Boston Globe

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Red 1972 Ford Pinto with black racing stripes on display with man sitting in driver's seat.

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto

The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

July 2, 2025 - Mother Jones

Close-up of park ranger in green jacket and khaki hat looking out at Bryce Canyon National Park red rock formations.

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions

Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

February 18, 2025 - National Parks Traveler

Paved walking path next to canal in The Woodlands, Texas with office buildings in background.

Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50

A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.

February 19, 2025 - Greg Flisram

Screenshot of shade map of Buffalo, New York with legend.

Test News Post 1

This is a summary

0 seconds ago - 2TheAdvocate.com

Red 1972 Ford Pinto with black racing stripes on display with man sitting in driver's seat.

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto

The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

18 minutes ago - Mother Jones

test alt text

Test News Headline 46

Test for the image on the front page.

March 5 - Cleantech blog