Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/category/more/transportation/)
Charlie BreitroseAn MBTA 71 bus. The Charles River Chamber’s Annual Transportation Forum will feature MBTA General Manager Phil Eng. See details provided by the Chamber. Tbe event will be on Tuesday, June 17, 12:30 p.m., program begins at 1 p.m. at Tripadvisor HQ, 400 1st Ave, Needham. Coffee and snacks will be provided.
An MBTA bus. (Photo from City of Watertown)
The MBTA announced changes as part of the Better Bus Project, including increased service on one of Watertown’s bus lines. See information sent out by the MBTA, below. Subway and bus spring schedules will go into effect on April 6, 2025. The new schedule will include multiple changes to improve service frequency and schedule reliability in order to address growing traffic congestion. Riders are encouraged to use the MBTA’s Trip Planner to plan their trips and check out the full list of upcoming bus service changes at MBTA.com/ServiceChanges.
The following information was provided by MassDOT:
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is encouraging members of the public to plan ahead for any upcoming holiday travel. Motorists and public transportation customers should check websites for real-time travel information on major statewide roads, MBTA schedule information, and the weather forecast before leaving home.
“MassDOT encourages the public to use our real-time traffic tools before heading to their holiday destinations. MassDOT also wants to remind roadway users to be safe, courteous, and to adhere to traffic laws and regulations,”said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver.
The MassDOT Highway Division is taking several steps to ensure safe and efficient travel on roadways and will be shutting down scheduled construction activities on major roadways from 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 24, until 5:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 26, and 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 31, until 5:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 2.
In addition, the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane on I-93 between Boston and Quincy will extend its afternoon hours by opening at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 19, and at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 20, as well as at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 26, and at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 27.
The Sumner Tunnel swing lane will not be deployed on Wednesday, December 25, and Wednesday, January 1, with normal deployment resuming at 5:00 a.m. the following morning.
MassDOT strongly urges all drivers to minimize distractions by turning off or putting away cell phones, traveling the posted speed limit, driving sober, and devoting full attention to what is ahead on the road. MassDOT encourages travelers to make an extra effort to be courteous on the roads and report to law enforcement any reckless driving.
For travelers getting to and from Logan Airport in Boston, please note:
See the MBTA’s helpful online user guide on using T services to get to and from Logan Airport: www.mbta.com/Logan
MBTA Silver Line provides service between South Station and Logan’s terminals. Outbound service from Logan Airport to the South Boston Seaport District and South Station is free.
Silver Line 1 (SL1) service to Logan operates about every 15 minutes or faster and stops at all terminals. On weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. during the week of Christmas, the SL1 will improve service frequency to every 7-8 minutes due to the increase in holiday travel.
Silver Line 3 (SL3) operates about every 15 minutes or faster and stops at Airport Station.
The Hingham/Hull Ferry operates some trips to and from Long Wharf in Boston to the Logan Airport Ferry Terminal.
The following announcement was provided by MassDOT:
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is encouraging members of the public to plan ahead for travel during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday week, use available technology tools and resources to make informed decisions and plan ahead. During this holiday season, individuals should be aware there may be a higher number of travelers on Commonwealth roadways and on public transportation.
“With the Thanksgiving holiday (this) week, MassDOT is forecasting increased traffic volumes throughout the week with the heaviest outbound traffic expected in the afternoons of Monday through Wednesday.” said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “We also expect returning volumes to be heavier on Sunday, December 1. We encourage travelers to make their trips outside of peak hours and drive safely.”
The Highway Division is taking several steps to ensure safe and efficient travel on state-owned roadways. There will be no scheduled construction work on major arterial roadways outside of established work zones, starting at 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 26, through 5:00 a.m. on Monday, December 2.
In addition, the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane located on I-93 between Boston and Quincy will extend its afternoon hours by opening from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 26, and from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27. The HOV lane will be closed on Thursday, November 28, and on Friday, November 29. Also, due to increased travel in and out of Logan Airport, the Sumner Tunnel swing lane will not be deployed on Thursday, November 28, and Friday, November 29.
Heavier traffic than usual is expected on Monday, November 25, and Tuesday, November 26, with additional delays likely during midday hours on Wednesday, November 27, Thanksgiving Day, November 28, and throughout the weekend following Thanksgiving.
The MBTA provided the following announcement:
The MBTA is reminding riders of the upcoming multi-day Red Line service suspension as part of the Track Improvement Program.
Red Line service will be suspended between Harvard and Broadway beginning at approximately 8:30 PM through the end of service on Sunday, November 17. Red Line service will continue to be suspended between Harvard and Broadway all day and every day November 18 – 23. On November 24, the planned service suspension will be extended between Harvard and JFK/UMass.
The decision to include an evening service suspension this Sunday and extended location limits on November 24 was made following a review of the logistical challenges associated with placing construction equipment on and off the tracks in this complicated area.
Riders can find complete information soon at mbta.com/RedLine. More information on these service changes and alternate travel options is below:
Beginning at 8:30 PM November 17, November 18 – 23:
Free and accessible shuttle buses will make all stops between Harvard and Broadway with the exception of Park Street and Downtown Crossing.
Riders heading southbound should instead disembark at Otis Street @ Summer Street and use the Winter Street Concourse to travel between Downtown Crossing and Park Street.
Riders heading northbound should instead disembark at Federal Street @ Franklin Street and use the Winter Street Concourse to travel between Downtown Crossing and Park Street.
Shuttle buses will also serve State (on the Orange and Blue lines) and Haymarket (on the Orange and Green lines) for easier connections to other subway lines.
Direct shuttle bus service will operate between Harvard and South Station on weekdays from 6 AM to 8 PM every 15 minutes.
Direct shuttle buses at Harvard will be located at Massachusetts Avenue @ Holyoke Gate.
Charlie BreitroseAn MBTA bus in Watertown. The MBTA has proposed some major changes to its bus service, including more frequent runs for the 70 Bus and the addition of two routes: one serving Newton and Waltham, and another that goes from Riverside Station in Newton to Arlington and includes Belmont. The changes are part of the Better Bus Program, the MBTA’s proposal to revamp parts of the bus system to meet the changing needs of the Greater Boston area due to shifting demographics, new employment centers, increased traffic congestion and changing travel patterns, according to the MBTA’s website. Recently, the MBTA released a proposed map of the new bus routes (click here to see an interactive map). The changes impacting Watertown include increasing the frequency of the 70 Bus from the current service, every 30 minutes or less during midday and on weekdays, to every 15 minutes or less seven days a week under the proposed plan.
City Councilors have invited representatives from the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to talk about the status of Greenough Boulevard in 2022, and whether it will once again be closed to traffic for several months. City Council President Mark Sideris said he would like the Council to have discussions with officials from the State agency that owns the roadway known as “Little Greenough,” which runs along the Charles River from Arsenal to North Beacon streets. “A year ago, this came before Council and we wrote a letter saying we want to have discussions, and DCR basically closed Little Greenough without any further talks with the City,” Sideris said. “I have spoken to (state) Sen. (Will) Brownsberger and he thought it was appropriate that we ask that they come talk to the Committee.”
A screenshot of a Google Map showing the section of Greenough Boulevard closed by the DCR for recreation use in 2021. It stretches from North Beacon Street to Arsenal Street.
Watertown City Hall
Legislation recently passed on Beacon Hill requires communities with MBTA service to create an area where dense housing projects would be allowed in locations near transit hubs. Watertown officials say, however, the area of the City designated by the state does not make sense and should be moved closer to the center of town. Each of the 175 MBTA communities must designate an area of at least 50 acres where multi-family projects with up to 15 units per acre would be allowed by right, so the City could not deny approval based on density. These zones are supposed to be within half-a-mile of a transit station. In Watertown’s case, the bus hubs in Watertown Square and the Watertown Yard do not qualify because they do not have a building available to passengers, acting Deputy City Manager Steve Magoon said at the Feb.
Charlie BreitroseA 71 bus on Mt. Auburn Street. The following information was provided by the MBTA:
MBTA staff today proposed to the Audit and Finance Subcommittee of the MBTA Board several fare policy changes as part of the MBTA’s Fare Transformation, which aims to make paying for transit easier and more convenient for our customers.
“These fare media updates will provide MBTA riders with greater flexibility through the introduction of ‘tappable’ forms of payment that are compatible with future fare readers on buses and trolleys, allowing for all-door boarding and, ultimately, for faster service,” said MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak. “We know some changes will take time to get used to, like the $3 card fee that allows for ‘one more trip protection’ and making sure every rider has a Charlie Card or other form of fare payment. But, if approved by the MBTA’s Board in April, we’re excited to make these important improvements to our fare system and to provide even more easy-to-use fare options to our riders.”
Upon completion of the public input process in March and subject to the MBTA Board approval in April, these policy changes would go into effect with the introduction of the MBTA’s next phases of Fare Transformation.
The MBTA is actively seeking public comment through multiple forums and channels on the following fare policy changes related to the upcoming fare media:
· Ending “Passback”: Currently allowed through the legacy fare system, the same CharlieCard or CharlieTicket loaded with fare value can be used to allow multiple riders through a fare gate.
