MAY 19, 2022
Dear Cambridge and Somerville constituents —
I want to pass along information from the MBTA regarding the Bus Network Redesign. The goal of the re-design is to adjust service in ways that create "a more equitable network with more frequent service, better connections, and more all-day service every day." Furthermore, the MBTA says these changes will come with a 25% increase to overall service levels across the bus network.
A set of draft maps were released earlier this week, and the first of several public meetings to review these maps and gather feedback will occur virtually this evening at 6 pm (information on how to register is posted below, along with other information from the MBTA).
Right now, my staff and I are in conversation with officials in the cities of Cambridge and Somerville, as well as advocates such as the Somerville Transportation Equity Partnership (STEP), to fully assess these proposals and determine any areas where we want to advocate for changes.
One area of particular interest and concern is to understand how the new maps relate to service on the Green Line Extension, keeping in mind that subway fares are generally greater than bus fares.
Ultimately, if we determine changes to this draft map are necessary, I will keep you posted on opportunities for collective advocacy. In the meantime, I welcome your feedback on these maps, too. Please send me an email or give me a call if you have feedback for our community.
Here is the draft map for Cambridge, and here is the draft map for Somerville. These maps are also available for other communities and in other languages at this page.
The following material is the full update from the MBTA.
Bus Network Redesign’s proposed bus network map is now available for your review at MBTA.com/BNRD. This proposal for bus service will create a more equitable network with more frequent service, better connections, and more all-day service every day.
Materials Available
You can view the full proposal here, including:
- Changes in Your Neighborhood – See how the proposed bus network would change bus routes in your neighborhood. Materials are available for download in multiple languages.
- Interactive Maps
- Our interactive remix map allows you to zoom in and out, pan around, and click on specific routes to get detailed information about schedules and runtime.
- If you're interested in a direct comparison between your current trip and the proposed redesigned bus network, use our trip planning tool to compare itineraries.
- Regional Map – This static map shows the proposed redesigned bus network at a regional level.
- High-frequency Map – This static map shows the proposed high-frequency corridors.
Share Your Feedback
You can provide feedback on the proposed map in a variety of ways. You can attend a virtual public meeting or station open house (see list below) or provide feedback via our online feedback form at MBTA.com/BNRDfeedback. The online form is available in English, Spanish (Español), Arabic (العربية), Chinese - Simplified (汉语), Chinese - Traditional (漢語), French (Français), Haitian Creole (Kreyòl Ayisyen), Portuguese (Português), and Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt).
You can also provide feedback by leaving a voicemail at 617-222-3011, or by mailing written comments to the following address:
MBTA
ATTN: Victoria Ireton
10 Park Plaza - Suite 3830
Boston, MA 02116
Upcoming Meetings and Events
As a reminder, the kickoff meeting will be held on Thursday, May 19 from 6:00 – 7:30 PM. In addition to this kickoff meeting, MassDOT and the MBTA will be holding a series of events throughout May, June, and July. The list of community meetings (both virtual and in-person) and Station Open Houses is included below, and available online at MBTA.com/BNRDevents.
Systemwide Community Meeting
At this meeting, MBTA staff will share the draft network map, answer your questions, and listen to your feedback.
MAY 19, 2022, 6:00 PM
Public Meeting | Bus Network Redesign – Systemwide (Virtual)
Virtual, Boston, MA
Register for the meeting
Regional Community Meetings
MBTA staff will provide an in-depth presentation of certain regions on the network map, with small group discussions.
These meetings will be held over Zoom, and a recording will be posted for those who cannot attend. Please register for a meeting using your email address. After you register, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions to join the meeting.
MAY 24, 2022, 6:00 PM
Public Meeting | Bus Network Redesign - South Shore & South Suburbs
Virtual, Boston, MA
Register for the meeting, or view more information on the event page.
JUNE 2, 2022, 6:00 PM
Public Meeting | Bus Network Redesign - Boston
Virtual, Boston, MA
Register for the meeting, or view more information on the event page.
JUNE 8, 2022, 6:00 PM
Public Meeting | Bus Network Redesign - Mystic River & North Shore
Virtual, Boston, MA
Register for the meeting, or view more information on the event page.
JUNE 16, 2022, 6:00 PM
Public Meeting | Bus Network Redesign – Inner Core
Virtual, Boston, MA
Register for the meeting, or view more information on the event page.
JUNE 22, 2022, 6:00 PM
Public Meeting | Bus Network Redesign - Minuteman & Metro North
Virtual, Boston, MA
Register for the meeting, or view more information on the event page.
JUNE 28, 2022, 6:00 PM
Public Meeting | Bus Network Redesign - Metrowest
Virtual, Boston, MA
Register for the meeting, or view more information on the event page.
Systemwide Community Open House and Hearings
At the systemwide in-person open house, MBTA staff will be available to answer questions about the draft network map and take comments.
JULY 19, 2022, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Open House | Bus Network Redesign – Systemwide
Bruce C. Bolling Municipal Building, Roxbury, MA
At the systemwide hearings, MBTA staff will provide a presentation on the draft network map and take comments.
The virtual hearing will be held over Zoom, and a recording will be posted for those who cannot attend. Please pre-register using your email address. After you register, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions to join the hearing.
JULY 26, 2022, 6:00 PM
Public Hearing | Bus Network Redesign - Systemwide (Virtual)
Virtual, Boston, MA
Register for the hearing
JULY 28, 2022, 6:00 PM
Public Hearing | Bus Network Redesign – Systemwide
Transportation Building, 2nd Floor, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA
Station Open Houses
Drop by and chat with MBTA staff members at different stops and stations throughout the network and provide input about the draft network map.
- Nubian Station; Boston, May 18, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
- Chelsea City Hall; Chelsea, May 26, 5:00 - 7:00 PM
- Harvard Station; Cambridge, June 1, 3:30 - 5:30 PM
- Quincy Center Station; Quincy, June 7, 4:00 - 6:00 PM
- Dewey Square; Boston, June 14, 11:00 - 2:00 PM
- Ashmont Station; Boston, June 23, 4:30 - 6:30 PM
- Malden Center; Malden, June 30, 4:30 - 6:30 PM
- Sullivan Station; Chelsea, July 7, 3:30 - 5:30 PM
- Forest Hills; Boston, July 12, 3:00 - 5:00 PM
- Wonderland Station; Revere, July 21, 3:00 - 5:00 PM
You can find more details about Bus Network Redesign and other Better Bus Project initiatives on the project website. We will continue to provide updates to you on these efforts and inform you of opportunities to provide your feedback.
Feel free to reach out to the Better Bus Project team at Better[email protected] with any questions and visit mbta.com/BetterBus to learn more about our ongoing efforts to improve the bus system.
If you have been forwarded this message and would like to receive email updates about the Better Bus Project, please sign up here.
Best regards,
The Better Bus Project Team
As always, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns about this or any other matter.
Last year, when the MBTA moved to eliminate the 68 Bus from the Port and Wellington-Harrington neighborhoods in Cambridge, I worked with my colleague Sen. Sal DiDomenico to successfully advocate for a restoration of that service. So, as we continue to review the proposed changes this year, I will continue to work with all concerned to ensure our Cambridge and Somerville district has robust bus service.
Yours in service,
Rep. Mike Connolly
