The MBTA is making another round of bus route changes later this month
Here's what they look like.
A few days before Christmas later this month, the MBTA is planning to implement another slate of more than 20 bus route changes around the Boston area.
The second round of changes is part of the agency’s Better Bus Project and includes both adding and eliminating dozens of stops in an effort to make service more frequent and easier to understand. The first round of changes, which affected nearly 30 routes, took effect in September. Steve Poftak, the MBTA’s general manager, said at the time that the modifications are the biggest changes to the agency’s bus service in over a decade.
“Too many of our bus routes still fail to live up to our own standards,” says the MBTA’s website. “Through the BBP, we are changing that.”
The second wave is slated to begin Dec. 22 and includes the elimination of several routes. For example, the changes call for cutting the entire 70A route from North Waltham to Central Square in Cambridge and replacing it with a newly created 61 route to North Waltham and bolstered Route 70 service from Waltham Center to Cambridge.
Officials say they understand the changes will impact the commutes of certain bus riders. However, they say the overhaul is based on conversations — both in public meetings and at bus stops themselves — with riders, drivers, and consultants about making a better overall system.
Here’s a look at the affected routes as they currently exist — and how they will change.
34 and 34E
Officials say service on the 34E line to the Dedham Mall will be replaced by the 34 line in order to provide earlier, later, and more frequent service to the mall, while reducing travel times for Route 34E riders traveling past it.
36
The current Charles River Loops stop on the 36 line in West Roxbury is being cut to “provide more frequent service where there’s more demand.” MBTA officials are advising riders who use the stop to instead board at close-by stops on Spring Street.
37
Service to Lagrange and Corey streets through Mount Benedict Cemetery on a route variation of the 37 line will be reduced to just three times during weekdays, according to the MBTA. Officials say the change will allow them to provide more frequent and reliable service from Forest Hills to West Roxbury.
52
The 52 bus is shifting its route to provide service closer to two middle schools in Newton and will no longer hit stops on Nahanton and Winchester streets, as well as several stops close to the intersection of Parker and Dedham streets. The MBTA says riders who use the eliminated stops should board on Dedham and Parker streets instead.
64
Officials say the 64 bus will now use Brooks Street in Brighton to travel from Oak Square to Beacon Street. The line will also now provide all-day service between Central and Kendal squares in Cambridge. Riders who used to board along Faneuil or Hobart streets in Brighton are suggested to board at the new Brooks Street stops.
61, 70, and 70A
With the elimination of the 70A route and the closure of several North Waltham stops, the MBTA is adding a new 61 bus running between Waltham Center and the Lakeview neighborhood. Those who took the 70A bus from Waltham to Cambridge are advised to take advantage of the more bolstered 70 line service along the same route.
71, 72, 74, 75, 78
Officials are making a series of bus schedule changes in the Cambridge-Belmont area.
First, the MBTA is adding more frequent 71 bus service on the part of its route between Harvard Square and Mount Auburn Hospital during the morning (7 a.m. to 9:15 .m.) and afternoon (3 p.m. to 7 p.m.) rush hours. And in turn, officials say the the 72 bus will operate inbound-only along that same route from 6:45 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and outbound-only from 2:45 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
Official say that making the 72 bus a one-way route during peak commutes will allow the MBTA to run more frequent 74 and 75 service. Two 74 stops on Blanchard Street in Belmont will be cut as a result. The 75 bus will also stay on Huron Avenue, skipping Fresh Pond Parkway and part of Concord Avenue. The schedules will also be coordinated with the 78 bus to provide more frequent service along the corridor.
201 and 202
Weekend service to North Quincy will be eliminated on the 201 and 202 lines in order to “provide more consistent” service on the 201 bus, according to officials. The MBTA says the riders who use those Newport Avenue stops should instead take the Red Line inbound from nearby North Quincy station.
220
The MBTA says the number of daily 220 bus trips serving the “Hingham Center loop” will be reduced to provide more frequent service on the rest of the line between the Hingham Depot and Quincy Center.
222
In Weymouth, the 222 bus will no longer provide service along Essex Street in an effort to reduce travel time and increase frequencies on the line. For those who board at eliminated stops on Broad, Essex, or Church streets, the MBTA suggests switching to the 222 stops on North and Middle streets.
225 and 226
The MBTA is planning to eliminate the 225C variant of the 225 bus, which provides service between the Quincy Center MBTA station and Columbian Square in South Weymouth. The route, however, will be replaced by a new 226 bus running between Columbian Square and the Braintree MBTA station, which officials say will reduce travel times.
350
Lastly, the 350 bus will no longer make a stop at the Macy’s at the Burlington Mall, though it will continue to make several stops on the other side of the mall along Burlington Mall Road. MBTA officials say the change will reduce travel times and allow the 350 bus to make four new stops in the nearby Northwest Park development.
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