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“The Lucky Express” will run between Oak Grove, Malden Center, and North Station.
![A photo of an MBTA commuter rail train passing by.](https://bdc2020.o0bc.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/s3___bgmp-arc_arc-feeds_generic-photos_to-arc_WALKER_081121_STAFFSTOCKPHOTOS_0008x-65130f523ac06-768x432.jpg)
The MBTA announced Wednesday it is adding additional service to the Green Line and Commuter Rail to help fans get to Boston to see the Celtics play the Dallas Mavericks in the first two games of the NBA Finals.
The MBTA said it will run a “special event train” on the Commuter Rail on Sunday between Oak Grove, Malden Center, and North Station. The train, which the agency is calling “The Lucky Express,” will leave Oak Grove at 6:42 p.m., leave Malden Center at 6:45 p.m, and arrive at North Station at 7 p.m. for Game 2.
“The excitement surrounding the Celtics playoff run and being in the championship finals adds so much to the vibrancy of Boston,” Phillip Eng, the MBTA’s general manager and CEO, said in a statement. “We’re committed to getting fans to the game conveniently, and the Lucky Express offers a solution to helping fans arrive at North Station to cheer on the Celtics.”
In addition, Eng said the MBTA said it is “enhancing” Green Line service and offering free rides on the Haverhill Line between Oak Grove, Malden Center, and North Station to ensure Celtics fans have more options for getting to, and from, the championship games on Thursday and Sunday. The Green Line will see the addition of three trains to North Station on Thursday and Sunday evening, as well as the extension of the C-branch to North Station.
While some trains are being added, the MBTA is reminding fans that the weekend will still see service suspended on the Orange Line between North Station and Oak Grove for “critical signal upgrade work.” The closure begins around 8:45 p.m. on Friday and will continue until the weekend of June 8th.
“Free and accessible shuttle buses will make all stops between North Station and Oak Grove,” the MBTA said. “Riders are highly encouraged to utilize this special free Lucky Express Commuter Rail train on Sunday evening.”
Fans headed to the games will find Canal Street closed to vehicular traffic during the home games of the finals to create a “Finals Hub,” an outdoor gathering space for fans. It is one of several measures Boston officials said will go into effect during the first four games of the best-of-seven series.
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