Massachusetts Looks Into Possible Orange Line Extension In Roslindale

BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — State officials are considering extending the MBTA Orange Line further south into Roslindale.

This comes after the Massachusetts House recently approved a resolution to study an extension that will examine several different factors such as cost, ridership and funding options.

Nearby residents have long asked for the Orange Line to extend past its final stop of Forest Hills and include service into areas such as Roslindale and West Roxbury, which are dependent on buses and the MBTA Commuter Rail’s Needham Line.

When asked about the extension some Orange Line riders said they’re all for the idea and said it will help cut down on overall travel time.

“For commuters that are coming from Roslindale, they don’t have to wait for busses they can just take the train and then the train is quicker,” said one man.

“I think that’d be a great idea, that would make it way easier for me to get home, and it would shorten my commute by like 20 minutes,” said Boston Latin senior Lou McDonald. “I could just walk from there or I could wait for a bus, and it would shorten it by a lot.”

However, some said they aren’t thrilled with the idea.

“I’m not really gung-ho about it because I feel like there are some decent options for people when you get off here, you can get to Roslindale Village pretty quickly,” said Jamaica Plain resident Laura Sylvan.

Laura said there are already a number of buses that go to Roslindale Village.

If the proposed expansion gets approved, MassDOT will have to submit the report by the end of June next year.

WBZ NewsRadio’s James Rojas (@JamesRojas.bsky.social) reports.