MBTA finalizes bus route changes 

by | May 6, 2019 | Newton | 2 comments

The MBTA’s Fiscal and Management Control Board today approved 36 near-term changes to bus service, including several changes of interest to Newton bus riders (Nos. 52, 59, 60 and 501-504)
 
Specific details have not been announced but a summary can be found here. We will update with specifics when available.
 
Changes will be implemented in late 2019 and early 2020, with a few additional changes going into effect later.

2 Comments

  1. Adam
    Adam on May 6, 2019 at 6:39 pm

    It’s not perfect, but kudos to the better bus team. They held public meetings, solicited feedback, listened to their customers, and in some cases openly acknowledged gaps in their initial plans. Hoping to see more of this from the T, starting with the Newton Highlands Accessibility Project.

  2. Greg Reibman
    Greg Reibman on May 8, 2019 at 11:56 am

    Here’s a statement from the mayor about the changes…

    I’ve been pushing back on some of the MBTA’s proposed “Better Bus Program” route changes in Newton, and they listened. They didn’t make all the changes the City’s transportation staff and I wanted, but they did make some restorations to service from their original proposal. In fact, of the 47 changes the MBTA originally proposed, after the MBTA received feedback, they only revised 9 of them; 3 of the 9 revisions are in Newton.

    We were able to maintain the Route 60 bus stop at the Chestnut Hill Mall, preserve some service on the Route 59 bus along Elliot Street and maintain service as it is in the morning, mid-day and weekend on the 501, 502, 503 and 504 routes between downtown Boston and Newton Corner.

    The City transportation staff and I are meeting with the MBTA service planners next week when we’ll get more details and have another opportunity to speak with the MBTA about the approved changes in Newton bus service.