Ruggles Station Improvements
Serving riders on the Orange Line, Commuter Rail, and several key bus routes, Ruggles station is one of the most used stations in our network. We've spent the last few years making improvements to provide riders with a better experience.
We split our improvements into the following phases:
Building a Better T
As part of our $9.6 billion, 5-year capital investment plan, we're renovating stations, modernizing fare collection systems, upgrading services for our buses, subways, and ferries, and improving the accessibility of the entire system.
Project Features
We will make structural repairs and upgrades to various components, including the following:
- New, fully accessible Columbus Avenue entrance
- Landscaping improvements
- Cleaning and painting
- Sidewalk, stairs, flooring, and platform repairs and replacement
- New elevator
- Exit improvements
- New wayfinding signage and visual displays
- New energy-efficient lighting
- Lighting upgrades, including skylight replacements
- Escalator modernization
- Rehabilitated, fully accessible restrooms
Rider Benefits
- Fully accessible Ruggles station
- State of good repair upgrades
- Enhanced fire and life safety upgrades
Phase II – In Progress
This project will provide critical accessibility upgrades and improve your experience throughout the station.
Design contract awarded: Fall 2020
Budget: $80 million
Status: Construction to begin spring 2024
We have completed the design for Phase II and anticipate starting construction in spring 2024.
Photo Gallery
Computer rendering of Ruggles Station viewed from Columbus Ave with pedestrian walkways
A rendering of the new Columbus Ave entrance at Ruggles Station, aerial view
Phase I – Completed
During Phase I, we made upgrades at Ruggles station that allow more Commuter Rail trains to stop there, and make movement through the station and transfers to other modes easier for riders.
Contract awarded: June 2017
Project completed: December 2021
Budget: $38 million
Status: Complete
Challenges we addressed
- 30% of Commuter Rail trains bypassed Ruggles station to stop at Back Bay
- Riders traveling to the Ruggles area had to take the Orange Line from Back Bay to Ruggles to connect to bus or shuttle service
Improvements we made
- Built a new 800-foot platform so more trains can stop at Ruggles
- Regraded the lower busway and added a new elevator to make it easier to transfer between modes
- Replaced four existing elevators throughout the station to improve accessibility to Orange Line and Commuter Rail platforms
- Widened sidewalks and made other improvements along paths of travel to make the station safer for pedestrians
Photo Gallery
The Ruggles Commuter Rail platform with updated signage (April 2021)
Newly installed Elevator 728 connects the Ruggles lobby to the lower busway (April 2021)
Reconstructed Elevator 850 connects the Ruggles lobby to the Orange Line platform (April 2021)
Newly poured concrete landing pads in the lower busway (October 2019)
Excavated pavement in the lower busway being prepared for regrading and stormwater drainage installation (October 2019)
Reconstruction of the busway ramp (April 2018)
New platform under construction (March 2018)
New platform under construction
Ruggles lower busway before construction
Past Events
Contact Us
For all questions and comments related to Ruggles Station construction, please contact rugglesimprovements@mbta.com.
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Recent Updates
Building a Better T
As part of our $9.6 billion, 5-year capital investment plan, we're renovating stations, modernizing fare collection systems, upgrading services for our buses, subways, and ferries, and improving the accessibility of the entire system.