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MBTA to expand bus service to Houghton’s Pond this summer
In partnership with the DCR, MBTA Route 716 buses will service Houghton’s Pond on Saturdays starting June 21.
The MBTA has announced that it will expand its Saturday bus service this summer in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation to include Houghton’s Pond in the Blue Hills Reservation in Milton.
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Route 716 buses, which operate between Cobbs Corner in Canton and Mattapan in Boston with connections to the Mattapan Line, will run every 90 minutes from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays from June 21 through October 11.
“Houghton’s Pond is a fantastic place to enjoy summer recreational activities, and we’re pleased to have the opportunity to transport people to the pond with the pilot 716 direct bus service this summer on Saturdays,” MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng said in a release.
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Buses will serve Houghton’s Pond in both directions via Hillside Street from MA-138/Washington Street. The summer service pilot is the result of what the MBTA called a “robust multiyear outreach effort” that included elected officials, transit advocates, nonprofit groups, municipal partners, local residents, and youth groups. User feedback and ridership data will inform future “summer improvements” to Route 716.
“One of our top priorities at DCR is ensuring that all Massachusetts residents and families have equitable access to our beautiful natural and recreational resources,” said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo. “This bus route will provide thousands of residents and visitors with an opportunity to experience the unique urban oasis of the Blue Hills with a hike, an interpretive program, or a dip in the water to cool off from the summer heat.”
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Part of the Massachusetts State Parks system, the Houghton’s Pond Recreation Area includes a 24-acre pond and accessible beach for swimming and fishing, as well as hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails. The area also includes ball fields, a concession stand, a playground, picnic areas, restrooms, and a visitors’ center.
The Blue Hills Reservation is one of DCR’s largest urban parks, with 7,000 acres and 125 miles of trails across Quincy, Dedham, Milton, and Randolph.
“We encourage everyone from near and far to grab your beach towels, leave your cars at home, and hop on the 716 to Houghton’s Pond this summer,” Eng said.
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