MBTA Adds Extra Staff, Security for Million-Person St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Boston’s transit system is preparing for a massive wave of parade-goers on March 16. The MBTA expects a million people to pack into South Boston’s streets for the St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
“The safety of our customers and employees is our top priority,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt to WCVB.
Extra Transit Police will monitor stations and ride trains in uniform. Their increased presence aims to prevent issues before they happen and help large crowds flow smoothly.
On the commuter rail, Keolis will replace some train services with buses. This change helps manage the flood of people moving through busy parade routes.
When celebrations wrap up, staff at South Station will organize lines to manage the crowd of people heading home.
Riders should double-check their travel plans. Current service updates are available on the MBTA’s website and mobile app.
The transit system has experience – they’ve managed big crowds at major city events before using these methods.
Stay alert while riding. Report anything suspicious to MBTA staff or police immediately.
Staff will monitor crowd levels at platforms and stations. If areas get too crowded, they’ll adjust their plans quickly.
With more riders expected, additional staff will be stationed at busy locations to give directions and answer questions.
Some bus stops will change location because of the parade. Check for signs showing temporary bus stop locations.
Police teams coordinate with city officials to keep everything running. This partnership helps buses and trains stay on schedule during the event.