He said he expected to issue another snow emergency and parking ban when weather worsens.

Speaking at Boston City Hall Thursday afternoon, Walsh said the city is continuing its efforts to clear streets, push existing snow piles away from main intersections, and prepare for the newest blast of snow expected during the record-setting winter of 2015.

Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh said that the MBTA should shut down this Saturday and Sunday as the city and region face another significant snowstorm that could bring blizzard-like wind conditions and a foot of new snow.

RELATED: Potential blizzard could bring up to 15 inches of snow


Walsh does not have the authority to unilaterally shutter the MBTA. A spokesman for the agency said officials would “do what is best for the safety of both its customers and employees.”

The mayor said the city had opened 10 new snow farms, borrowed two snow melters from New York City, and would use the time before the snow starts to fall on Saturday to treat Boston’s streets with salt. He said the city was focused on clearing snow piles from intersections in the neighborhoods to make room for the potential blizzard.

“I don’t think it’s a matter of disposing of the snow. It’s about getting it off the street,’’ said Walsh.

RELATED: Scot Lehigh: Bostonians’ stormy sentiments on city’s cleanup efforts

Interim School Superintendent John McDonough said all the roofs of schools have been inspected and no problems have been found so far.

Earlier today, Peter Pan, the Springfield-based bus company, said it would provide buses to help move Red Line passengers from Dorchester to Braintree during the Thursday night commute, and provide the supplemental help during both of Friday’s commutes.

The portion of the Red Line between Braintree and the JFK/UMass stop in Dorchester has been closed since Monday night due to snow, faulty switches along the tracks, and repeated breakdowns of cars on the trains.


The T has already deployed its own shuttle buses, but riders have been facing long waits. Peter Pan has agreed to provide 23 buses for Thursday and also provide buses on Friday, according to MBTA spokesman Joseph Pesaturo.

“For the bus shuttle replacing the Braintree line, our hard working bus operators are getting some help from their brothers and sisters at Peter Pan,” Pesaturo wrote in an e-mail.

RELATED: Editorial: MBTA needs a leader who has Baker’s full confidence

Chris Crean, vice president of safety and security at Peter Pan, said the company was prepared to provide up to 35 buses, if there is a need. He said Peter Pan would aid the T through the Friday evening commute unless there are any changes in Red Line service.

The Peter Pan buses will run as an express service between JFK/UMass and Braintree, according to the MBTA, while MBTA buses will shuttle passengers between all stations on the line. Passengers can also access the commuter rail at JFK/UMass, Quincy Center, and Braintree stations, the MBTA said.

There will be no charge to board commuter rail trains along the Braintree part of the Red Line during the suspension of subway service, Pesaturo said.

The Boston Carmen’s Union said it supported the use of an outside bus company to operate buses for the MBTA during the transportation crisis caused by record snowfalls this month.


“We have agreed to work with the Authority during this crisis and allow our union brothers and sisters at Peter Pan to provide supplemental shuttle service,’’ the union said in a statement.

The price of Peter Pan’s participation will be settled later, Pesaturo said.

The MBTA and Peter Pan are currently more concerned with getting transportation for commuters who rely on it daily, Crean said.

“Right now, our primary focus is on improving the replacement service for Braintree branch customers,’’ he wrote in an e-mail.

The Braintree line will be closed through Sunday, the T has said.

The Peter Pan announcement came after Governor Charlie Baker held a closed-door meeting at the T’s control center on High Street with Beverly A. Scott, the T’s general manager, who abruptly resigned Wednesday. Baker spoke briefly with reporters, saying that it was a good meeting, that he would say more later Thurday, and reiterating that he did not force Scott out.

RELATED: Baker has ‘healthy exchange’ with outgoing T chief



On Wednesday, about an hour after Scott got a vote of confidence from transportation leaders, she abruptly resigned.

Scott will remain in office until April 11.

In a statement, Baker said it “was a good session for us to listen and learn. ... We value Dr. Scott and her team’s efforts during this historical winter which has posed incredible challenges to our transportation system.’’

Scott’s resignation comes after days of severe delays caused by record-breaking snow and bitter cold.


More MBTA coverage Weather resources:

Aneri Pattani can be reached at aneri.pattani@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @apattani95.

John R. Ellement can be reached at ellement@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @JREbosglobe.