Rusty Green Line Train

A rusty Green Line train idles at Lechmere Station in January 2014.

(Garrett Quinn, MassLive)

BOSTON --The MBTA announced on Friday that they will not operate any services on Sunday in anticipation of the blizzard-like conditions from Winter Storm Neptune and canceled Saturday night's late night service.

MBTA officials said in a release that they needed to shutdown the service in order to clear the equipment, including rails and switches, of ice and snow.

A decision as to whether or not the system will operate on Monday will be made Sunday evening when Neptune is forecasted to be out to sea.

"The MBTA is taking this action to ensure the safety of our customers and employees, which is our top priority. The projected heavy snow and high winds will significantly inhibit the MBTA's ability to deliver safe and reliable service. Trees and power lines could come down, and visibility will be hampered. Additionally, the MBTA is concerned that a train could break down between stations, resulting in a track right-of-way evacuation that would put customers, employees and emergency responders at risk," said the MBTA in a statement.

The suspension of late night MBTA service on Saturday will allow the MBTA commence maintenance and snow removal operations before 3:30 a.m. when late night service normally ends.



The announcement comes at the conclusion of a confusing day where high level state officials appeared to not all be on the same page.

At a brief press availability at 3:50 p.m. after a MassDOT board of directors meeting Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack said that Gov. Charlie Baker would have something to say on the MBTA's weekend schedule at a 4:15 p.m. press conference.

"I think he'll have some information about that when he does his press avail," said Pollack.

Baker's press avail took place approximately 15 minutes after Pollack's brief chat with the press ended.

At Baker's press conference in Room 157 he said that a decision to suspend MBTA service would likely be made on Saturday.

"I think they'll make decision tomorrow morning on what their plans are with respect to Sunday," said Baker.

Baker's press conference concluded at approximately 4:40 p.m.

At 5:21 p.m. on Friday an email from MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo hit the inboxes of Boston reporters announcing the suspension of Sunday service.