Improving Local and Regional Transit Services

We are currently working a maintenance program that will replace outdated and faded signage, improve existing lane markings, and potentially expand the bus lane in key areas.

We finalized the Route 57 Transit Priority Plan, which includes new bus lanes, changes to bus stops, and improvements to traffic operations . We are working on extending sidewalks to create bus bulbs and reduce crossing distances at bus stops.

Three free-fare routes (Routes 23, 28, and 29) were launched in 2022 and extended until March 2026. We are supporting potential night bus service initiatives.

We have allocated funding to the Mission Hill shuttle service and have received federal funding to launch new Link Bus routes in six neighborhoods including on-demand service in Mattapan and Grove Hall.

The MBTA completed track and intersection upgrades for the B, C, and E branches, and are continuing to make upgrades to meet a completion goal of June 2025.

Our Nubian Square redesign continues to be in construction. Our current focus is on improving public spaces outside the station.

We have convened a Sullivan Square regional planning group with participation from Boston, Everett, Somerville, Cambridge, MassDOT, MBTA, and the Gaming Commission to coordinate the ongoing redesign of roadways and bridges in the area.

Ferry service launched from the Seaport to Lovejoy Wharf and Lewis Mall Wharf in East Boston in fall 2021.

Signal and fleet improvements are ongoing to increase frequency, reduce travel times, and address crowding. Trains with new cars are gradually being introduced.

New bus lanes were installed from Herald Street to Temple Place in downtown.

Implementation of the newly approved Bus Network Redesign is set to begin in December 2024.

Our Transit Team worked to install several new bus lane corridors and make improvements to routing, access, speed, and reliability along key routes.

The MBTA increased frequency on the Fairmount Line to run every 30 minutes on weekdays. They have plans to electrify service and run trains as frequently as every 20 minutes in the near future.

The region’s first center-running bus lanes were implemented on Columbus Avenue in 2021. The newly announced Blue Hill Avenue Transportation Action Plan includes plans for center-running bus lanes from Mattapan to Warren Street in Roxbury.

We have received funding through the federal Reconnecting Communities program for rebuilding the Allston/I-90 Interchange, which would include a new intermodal hub at West Station.

Construction began on the South Station Transportation Center as part of the South Station Air Rights Project. New tracks are in design.

We have begun initial work on the corridor based on community engagement feedback and are continuing into route alignments and station designs.

We are working to make improvements to the separated bike lanes, curb ramps, and bus islands installed by the City of Cambridge. Bus lanes in the Back Bay section are being planned.

We have received a grant for the Malcolm X Boulevard section of the corridor and are working to improve access to JFK/UMass Station.

We launched a pilot of increased service, which was made permanent in 2022. The pilot led to weekday frequencies of every 30 minutes, with plans to increase frequencies to every 20 minutes in the near future.

Track 61 could be used to create new connections from Dorchester at Newmarket to the Seaport.

We are designing a new downtown route with a relocated terminal to improve transfers to the Orange and Red Lines, until a full connection between the Washington Street and waterfront Silver Lines is complete.

The MBTA is currently implementing accessibility enhancements so as not to preclude a southern Green Line extension.

A transit hub on Longwood Avenue would serve the Longwood Medical Area to improve access to jobs and services and help alleviate congestion.

We currently are installing a new commuter rail station at Millenium Park and also are evaluating the area as part of the Southwest Boston Transportation Action Plan.

The MBTA completed vulnerability and flood risk assessments of all rapid transit lines and established a new office focused on climate and resilience.

Future subway-like service along the Mass Pike from Newton to South Station will incentivize transit use and ease congestion.

We are planning a reconstruction of the Allston/I-90 Interchange, including a new intermodal hub at West Station, and access improvements to nearby waterfront parks.