Full Breakdown
MBTA Orange Line Shuttle Bus Misroutes Passengers to Stoneham
8/22/2026, 2:50:10 AM
Shuttle Misrouting During Service Suspension
On Thursday morning, the driver of an MBTA-contracted shuttle serving the Orange Line mistakenly took riders north on I-93 toward Stoneham, a town on the North Shore roughly 10 miles from the intended North Station drop-off. The error occurred on the first day of an 11-day suspension of Orange Line service between Oak Grove and Back Bay stations. Passengers reported the bus was packed and that the driver repeatedly asked for directions, prompting riders to intervene.
Background: Orange Line Service Disruption
The MBTA halted Orange Line trains for over a week to address infrastructure work, substituting shuttle buses to bridge the gap between the northern and southern termini. The temporary service plan required drivers to navigate unfamiliar routes, increasing the potential for navigation errors.
Official MBTA Response
The MBTA emphasized that corrective actions were taken with the contractor to prevent recurrence.
Passenger Reactions
Riders took to social media to voice frustration. One commuter, Nick Caruso, posted that the mishap was unsurprising given past MBTA experiences. Others described the situation as “ridiculous,” citing the driver’s failure to use HOV or dedicated bus lanes and the need for passengers to repeatedly direct him.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We were suddenly going north on I-93. And he's asking us 'Am I going the right way?' No, no, everyone is saying no,” — Eamon Marchant
- “And then all of a sudden we're directing him. He's asking us where we're going and we're saying North Station. He's like, ' What's the address?' I'm like North Station. That's it.” — Eamon Marchant
- “He's not using the HOV lanes; he's not using the bus lanes,” — Eamon Marchant
These firsthand remarks illustrate the confusion experienced by passengers as the shuttle deviated from its intended route.
