Officials Look To Increase Ridership By Posting More Bus Maps

"Boston's 177 bus routes attract less than half the number that ride the subway. Because of the way the hub-based subway system was designed, ridership has historically been isolated between commuter rail, bus, and the popular subway."

"Most of all, riders and T officials say, people prefer the speed of the subway , don't like buses, or just don't know where the buses go."

"A new MBTA program hopes to change that. Beginning this week, it will install detailed maps that meld bus routes with maps of neighborhoods around subway stops, showing for the first time the full scope of T bus and subway services in a given region."

"The T program begins Friday with the installation of new maps, schedules, and signs at 10 stations pointing out bus stops . Another focus of the effort will be to feature 4-foot-by-4-foot signs showing roads and related bus routes."