Photo: WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The MBTA launched Phase 1 of their new Bus Network Redesign project on Sunday.
Phase 1 made Routes 104, 109, and 110 ‘Frequent Bus Routes’, meaning that buses should arrive every 15 minutes or better all day.
Route 104 has a new connection from Malden and Everett to Chelsea and Airport station, and it also reroutes south to Bellingham Square and Airport station. New bus lanes have also added.
Route 109 was extended from Sullivan Square through Union Square to Harvard Square. It also replaced Route 104’s stops between Everett Square and Sullivan Square, as well as Route 86 stops between Sullivan and Harvard Square.
Route 86 was shortened to end Harvard Square, with frequent service running during midday, evenings and weekends, along with expanded Sunday service hours.
Routes 116 and 117 were combined into one new Route 116, which is also now a Frequent Bus Route. This new Route 116 continues its existing service between Wonderland and Maverick.
New bus stop signs, along with subway, neighborhood, and bus connection maps have been installed at the stations with updated service information.
Chelsea, Everett, and Malden have added 13 new accessible bus stops, and 2 more in Linden Square have been upgraded to be more accessible.
Bus parking all along these routes have also been upgraded and expanded.
WBZ NewsRadio's Chaiel Schaffel spoke to some residents about how they felt about these upgrades.
"Well, if the bus is more frequent, I'm in favor of that," one person said.
"In general, I'll have to see what happens," another individual said.
"No I did not (know about the changes) actually, but I'm very excited because I want to start using the bus more," a third local said.
This redesign is part of the MBTA’s larger Better Bus Project, an initiative that is aiming to improve the reliability and frequency of the buses in Boston.
The MBTA said that Phase 2 will be rolled out in early 2025.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Chaiel Schaffel (@CSchaffelWBZ) reports.