How to Improve Bus Service and Performance on Busy Corridors

A new report collects the lessons and best practices of several years of bus priority projects in the Boston region.

1 minute read

June 23, 2021, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Broadway Bus Lane in Everett

The Everett bus priority pilot project at work in December 2016. | Mayor Carlo DeMaria / Facebook

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC)—the regional planning agency for the region surrounding in Boston in Massachusetts—has published a new report aimed sharing lessons and best practices for the implementation of bus infrastructure improvements.

"The guide lays out steps to help municipal staff, community leaders, and advocates launch successful bus improvements in high ridership, high delay corridors. These projects are important tools in achieving climate, equity, and transit goals, as well as improving quality of life for the thousands of people in our region," according to an MAPC website that promotes the new "Get it Rolling" report.

The "Get It Rolling" report distills information from six bus priority projects implemented around the region, including projects in Everett, Boston, Arlington, Cambridge, Watertown, and Somerville. Among those cities, Everett was the first to pilot a shared-bus bike lanes in the Greater Boston region since the creation of the Silver Line in Boston.

"Everett’s transformative bus lane led to a domino effect in Greater Boston, with numerous other municipalities piloting and laying down permanent fixtures for bus lanes throughout the region: over the next four years, Roslindale, Arlington, Cambridge, Watertown, Allston, and Somerville saw the benefits of improved commute times for bus riders," according to the same website.

Monday, June 21, 2021 in Metropolitan Area Planning Council

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

A pencil rendering of Foundry Park, which shows skyscrapers and public green spaces.

Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment

The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.

October 23, 2026 - Chicago Sun Times

A swamp in South Carolina with tall pale trees and Spanish moss in the water.

Satanic Place Names

From streams and lakes to valleys and canyons, I mapped more than 1,000 places named after the Devil.

7 hours ago - The Daily Yonder

A rendering of a high speed rain station in California, with wide platforms and a sleep train with yellow highlights.

California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal

Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.

October 30 - Cal Matters

 A bridge stretches across the Missouri River at Chamberlain, South Dakota.

Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states

Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.

October 30 - South Dakota Searchlight