On Monday, officials from the MassDOT and the MBTA launched the MBTA’s new draft network map as part of Bus Network Redesign. Members of the public can view the draft network map online at mbta.com/BNRD.
As far as the Southie bus routes go, judging by the map, there will be some changes to the #7, #10 and #11.
Judging by the new map – it looks like the #7 will be taken off Broadway (no more line at L + Broadway) and just run down First Street and take a right on Summer Street. (Although what the heck with the crowd look like on First Street?)
For the #11, the stops will now end at Broadway – where commuters can take the Red Line downtown.
The #10 will now extend from Boston Medical Center to Ruggles to replace #8 bus; does not serve Copley, Back Bay, South End
#9 is running the same route but there will be “improved frequency.”
You can check out the new bus route maps here!
If you’re not loving the new routes or changes proposed or if you love the new routes or changes, you’re encouraged to let the MBTA know. You can learn more here.
So what exactly is this all about?
The Greater Boston area has substantially evolved with new employment districts, shifting demographics, and traffic increases while the bus network has stayed largely the same. Transit is essential to the region’s economy and bus service serves the MBTA’s most transit-dependent populations. It is essential that the MBTA’s bus network adapts to change.
An initiative of the Better Bus Project, MassDOT and the MBTA’s Bus Network Redesign project is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make bold improvements to the MBTA’s bus network for the people that depend on it most. Bus Network Redesign completely re-imagines the bus network to reflect the travel needs of the region today, creating a better experience for current and future riders while prioritizing equity and the needs of those who depend on frequent, reliable bus service.
According to the website, the rider benefits include:
- 25% more bus service
- 70% more weekend service
- 275,000 more residents would be near high-frequency service (buses running every 15 minutes or better, 5 AM – 1 AM, seven days a week)
- 115,000 residents of color and 40,000 low-income households would gain access to high-frequency service
For South Boston/Seaport specifically, there are 4 new high-frequency routes that will connect:
• South Boston, the Seaport, Downtown, Charlestown, all rapid transit lines, and Commuter Rail.
• South Boston, Broadway, and Copley.
• The Seaport, D Street, and Longwood Medical Area (LMA).
• Andrew and Columbia Road.
To see these new routes – you can visit here. The maps themselves are kind of confusing but you get the general idea.
There will be a Public Virtual Meeting to discuss the bus network redesign. You can learn more here!
What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!
Maureen Dahill is the editor of Caught in Southie and a lifelong resident of South Boston sometimes mistaken for a yuppie. Co-host of Caught Up, storyteller, lover of red wine and binge watching TV series. Mrs. Peter G. Follow her @MaureenCaught.
How do we get to Tufts Medical on Washington Street? Is there a train from Broadway? This is stupid. They should just have added more busses on #7.
What about the people who rely on the bus to get to Tufts Medical Center. That will be a major pain to take the red line.. the bus lets u off at the front door to Tufts.. I guess you are not thinking about us Seniors.. Thanks!!!!!
Totally agree with the #11 and Tufts. So instead of taking a bus all the way into downtown, we will have to switch to Red Line and then Orange line to get to Tufts! Absolutely ridiculous!
Bus service changes to #7 & #11 do not meet the needs of the community, especially the elderly who can’t rely on broken escalators and disabled elevators to get down or up from train platforms. What about those going to Tufts? Why this change to inconvenience riders? As far as the #7 bus, keep same L street location and add buses during mornings & evening rush hours. Also, when does So. Boston riders start getting free rides like other communities in Boston do?
Is Wu trying to lock the people into South Boston? Most elderly people cannot do the stairs. Instead of getting dropped off at Tufts you would have to get off at Broadway and take the train to downtown crossing. Then walk a far distance at downtown crossing to get on the orange line to get to Tufts….ridiculous.
Mayor Wu isn’t the person changing the bus routes to the MBTA, #’s 7 and 11 in particular. That is under the head of the MBTA and Charlie Baker, write him.
No consideration was paid to Seniors trying to get to Tufts. “The Ride” is a joke. Uber is too expensive. Thanks for nothing MBTA!
They completely forgot about Seniors getting to Tufts. Thanks for nothing MBTA!
This is an absolute disgrace and once again, we get no help from our politicians.
#7 bus, Take it off the Broadway route, what about those who live on 6th or 7th street, for senior citizens who have some achy knees and have difficulty in walking, moms with children, they will have to walk all the way to 1st St. Or is it a small group of people who are complaining there are too many buses going by their houses. I do know of a small group who complain. This change is only to help those who are working downtown and not helping the community as a whole.
#11 bus, same problem as the #7 bus. elderly, those who cant do stairs, for years that #11 bus helped everyone get to Tufts Medical, Chinatown, the stores near Macy’s, now, take a train or 2? The people of South Boston are getting pushed aside once again.
Doesn’t seem as though we were taken into consideration with these changes, yet our politicians who supposedly help the people of the City (their own town) allowed it. Again I say, South Boston is starting to become unlivable. So sad for all, this happened. But yet, they don’t want us to have cars, but they make public transportation more difficult. DUH
I may be missing something, but are we assuming that the #7 is taken off Broadway or is this fact? I don’t see anything in the writing that says it will run just from the City Point Portal on 1st St on, it just says that its being extended to sullivan square and there will be added busses.
The current route served by the #11 bus is absolutely essential for South Boston residents needing direct access to Tufts Medical Center for medical care, the Theater District where many residents are employed, and to Chinatown and Downtown for shopping and dining. Changing this route would place hardship on area residents, particulatly our seniors!
I agree with the unnecessary changes to the #11 bus. Not only does it take patients straight to Tufts, but, there are also many medical/dental offices in downtown as well. Could you people get more ridiculous???
No to changing bus # 11 . Seniors r a big part of this community and demand and require equal rights . Bus # 11 takes u into downtown one stop from when u get on to get off in downtown, Macy’s , Arch street for mass. The subway stations r not all that feasible to seniors and people with disabilities. This is discrimination!!!
You can’t say it any better
Who decided on these changes. Talk about screwing the seniors over, how are we to get to tufts for appointments? I for one will not be able to keep my appointments. Down stairs at Broadway and then change to the orange line. What a totally stupid idea to do that to seniors that depend on it.
The 11 hardly runs often enough to be consistently useful getting downtown anyway, and I live right in front of one of the stops (west 7th). The traffic through the Chinatown area always brought it to a halt, too. The 9 serves more people and it drops you only a block away from Tufts Medical.
Sure, if you live right on the 11 and commute to Tufts regularly then it’s a decrease in service—but, it’s only an additional like 3-4 blocks of walking. That much walking (or more) is already a reality for most of Southie anyway. It’s a reality for the entire city, for that matter.
If you live in the lower end or Andrew square, this seems like an improvement.
The #11 should at least run to Tufts Medical Center for both seniors and those who work there. And when is the T going to fix the escalator at Broadway? It’s been down since March!
I like to register my objection to the # 11 bus route ending at Broadway Station and having the Seniors go downstairs to take the Redline to Washington Street or to Park Street and get on the Trolley to the Tufts Stop.
There was no consideration given to the Seniors going to Tufts Medical Center or Downtown shopping.
Yet we have to endure the changing of bus Drivers and there ( Bull-Shit ) greetings for 5 minutes.
I encourage all residents to notify our State Represenatives and Congress man Stevce Lynch and the New Mayor.
Do we have any representation here in Southie, or have our elected official just given up on us? this is a disgrace and keep in mind, elections are coming September 6. Not all of these people deserve your vote if this is how they are going to treat us
I guess the “mass” in “mass transit” no longer applies. If they were looking to increase traffic – either with Uber or personal vehicles – then this is the perfect plan. And if they’re looking to discourage people from moving to Boston because it doesn’t offer affordable housing OR a comprehensive transit system, then again, this is the right move. Any elected officials care to chime in here?
How does the T12 drive threw the one-way at D and 1st? Are they turning that into a 2-way street for commuters too?
Sounds like the seniors don’t like some of the changes.
I agree with all of the previous comments regarding the #11 ending at Broadway . . . taking the Red Line is not an alternative to reach Tufts. You would need to go all the way to Downtown Crossing and backtrack on foot? (Or get on Orange and backtrack by train?!?) That is CRAZY. My perfect commute is officially trashed.
I think you are misreading the maps. They visually separated the line for 7/9/10 but it don’t think they are moving off of Broadway.
I’m praying I’m correct –
…I thought you were gonna tell us the ‘T’ is free for Southie residents now.
Sure I did.
#SouthieLivesDon’tMatter
Instead of fixing City Point’s commuting problems this exacerbates them! The 7 bus should be going down Farragut and along Day to the Bathhouse and up L Street to town. Now there will be no City Point neighborhood service at all.
Additionally the 11 bus will no longer go to town. The Silver Line which should have come to the City Point station stops at the Seaport. We will have NO direct bus to town despite being two miles away!
Meanwhile the commuters are thrilled with their easy access up L Street, timed lights, reduced parking at every corner, and no trucks or busses to limit their city excursions.
I’d be interested to see how much more income the T will be making by making riders pay for the train now. I know the ride into downtown will be reduced but the return trip won’t be. Also,and I’m not 100% sure of this, but I believe to get to Tufts you’ll have to take the Red Line to Downtown Crossing then change to the Orange Line to Tufts.
STOP CATERING TO THE YUPPIES…. ENOUGH! the bus let’s you off right at the door of tufts, seniors and disabled do not feel safe taking the train