MBTA Announces Improved Bus Frequencies, Redesigned Route Map in Boston

“The MBTA Board of Directors on Thursday unanimously approved a revised bus map that would increase the scope and frequency of service around Boston, including 30 routes planned to have buses arrive at least every 15 minutes,” reports Daniel Kool in a paywalled article for the Boston Globe.

The system redesign is expected to take effect in Fiscal Year 2023, according to the article. The system redesign is the latest to implement the concept of a high frequency grid, following most famously in the footsteps of Houston.

“The revised bus network was first announced in May and redrafted in October in response to more than 20,000 public comments. The second draft included changes to 85 of 133 initially proposed bus routes, adding or shifting lines to better reach medical facilities, walking back changes originally proposed for lines like the Route 39 bus, which runs from Forest Hills to Back Bay station, and making new cuts, including — to the ire of some riders — the Route 94 bus, which currently runs between Davis and Medford Square stations,” reports Kool.

According to the article, the MBTA presented the system redesign in context of the bus driver shortage ongoing in Boston and nationwide. According to the article, the new system will require hundreds of new drivers to maintain what is an overall increase in bus service.

The MBAT also announced new fare evasion regulations. “Under the new regulations, a first offense will earn a formal written warning before a citation is issued. First, second, and third citations would be $50, and later citations would issue fines of $100. The T is not currently issuing any citations for evasion after changes to a state law starting in 2021,” writes Kool.