Malden station
| Company type | Transit station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | 1845 |
| Headquarters | Malden, Massachusetts , United States |
| Owner | Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) |
Malden Center station operates as a key intermodal transit facility managed by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) in Malden, Massachusetts. Located on an elevated structure above Pleasant Street in Malden's downtown area, it provides service for the Orange Line rapid transit and the MBTA Commuter Rail Haverhill Line. The station includes a single island platform serving the two Orange Line tracks, alongside one side platform designated for the commuter rail track. Additionally, two busways support several MBTA bus routes.
Service through Malden by the Boston and Maine Railroad commenced in 1845. The original station was replaced in 1871, followed by the construction of a brick station building in 1892. Although the station building was sold for private use in 1958, commuter rail trains continued stopping until the current station was inaugurated in December 1975. Commuter rail operations at this location initially ran from 1977 to 1979 and resumed again in 1985. A renovation project between 2003 and 2005 introduced two elevators, significantly improving accessibility.
Station layout
Positioned on an embankment west of Malden’s central district, Malden Center station features two Orange Line tracks with an island platform on its west side. The Haverhill Line, following the Western Route, consists of a single track accompanied by a side platform on the east side. The fare lobby is situated beneath the platforms and can be accessed from both sides of the station. Malden Center also serves as a prominent MBTA bus hub, offering a two-lane busway on the east side and a one-lane busway on the west.
History
The Boston and Maine Railroad initiated service through Malden in July 1845. The initial wooden depot, two stories tall, was replaced in 1871 by a smaller facility located on the track’s west side. In 1891, as part of a grade crossing elimination effort, B&M began constructing a new station that opened in 1892. By 1958, this building was sold for $1,000 and had been converted into a restaurant and banquet hall by 1962.
Malden Center station officially opened on December 27, 1975, coinciding with the MBTA's Haymarket North Extension of the Orange Line. Earlier proposals for an elevated extension into Malden were abandoned due to opposition from local residents. Instead, the extension utilized the existing Western Route embankment.
When the Orange Line began service, the former commuter rail platform was closed. A high-level platform—the first of its kind for the MBTA—was constructed for the Reading Line but initially remained unused. It began service in May 1977 but ceased operations again in September 1979. Following trestle fires in January 1984 that disrupted access to North Station, Malden Center temporarily functioned as the inbound terminus for the Haverhill Line until February 1984, when service shifted to . After North Station reopened in April 1985, commuter rail service at Malden Center resumed—likely influenced by nearby redevelopment initiatives led by local politician John A. Brennan Jr.
Thanks to its connection with the Orange Line, Malden Center continues to serve as an important temporary terminus for the Haverhill Line during disruptions between Malden and Boston's North Station. It was employed in this role during the Woods Memorial Bridge reconstruction in 2016; however, Oak Grove is generally preferred for weekday disruptions due to its closer location to Melrose’s double-track segment.
Renovations
Distinct from most MBTA stations, the air rights above Malden Center are held by the city rather than the MBTA. By 1983, municipal plans included constructing a pedestrian bridge to link the station with adjacent developments. In 1989, the MBTA evaluated an accessible footbridge project estimated at $2.8 million, aiming for completion in 1991.
Although initially lacking accessibility features, the station was designed with space allocated for a future elevator installation. A $6 million renovation commenced in 2003 but encountered delays due to updates in building codes, ultimately finishing in 2005 with a total expenditure of $10 million. This renovation introduced a second exit stairwell and installed two elevators, ensuring full accessibility. In 2002, as part of its public art initiative, the MBTA placed panels showcasing artwork created by local schoolchildren at both Malden Center and Sullivan Square stations, complemented by painted benches in the lobby area.
By May 2021, enhancements to wayfinding signage, lighting, and other station facilities were finalized. The entire Orange Line, including Malden Center’s platform, underwent a closure for maintenance from August 19 to September 18, 2022; during this interval, Haverhill Line service remained operational. From September 9 to November 5, 2023, rail operations on the inner Haverhill Line were suspended to allow for signal system upgrades. Shuttle service operated by Encore Boston Harbor casino connected to Malden Center from its opening in June 2019 until mid-2023.