It’s going down for real
We’ve all experienced the droves of commuters corralled together waiting for buses. Whether you are one of the commuters or have walked or driven passed them, you can clearly see buses are an issue in South Boston. Resident commuters’ complaints range from unreliable service, lack of air conditioning or the fact most buses during rush hour are full to capacity by L Street. Let’s not even bring up the nightmare winter and the snow-filled bus stops causing public safety issue. Whether you think bus stops should stay on Broadway or be moved back to East Fourth, you’ll be happy to know that the MBTA and our local elected officials have finally heard you. Two community meetings have been scheduled for this month. Below is a press release. Make sure to take our poll too: https://caughtinsouthie.com/poll/do-you-think-bus-stops-should-stay-east-broadway
In consultation with the South Boston local elected officials, the MBTA is pleased to announce preliminary planning for South Boston bus stop and service improvements.
Goals for the effort include the following:
– Enhance service reliability
– Reduce overcrowding at bus stops
– Optimize bus stop locations and spacing for safety, efficiency, and minimal parking impacts
– Improve bus stop accessibility for seniors and persons with disabilities
Two preliminary planning meetings are scheduled to be held in September.
– September 23, 5:30 – 7:30 PM – Condon School – 200 D St., Boston
– September 30, 5:30 – 7:30 PM – Tynan School – 650 E. 4th St., Boston
While this process is underway, and due to planned utility work expected along E. 4th St., MBTA bus Routes 5, 7, 9, and 10 will continue to follow the detour route in the inbound direction via E. Broadway.
“We have heard from many residents throughout the community over the last few years and particularly this past winter about the need to improve the overall quality of public transportation in South Boston. I look forward to partnering with the MBTA and MassDOT to develop responsive solutions that will increase accessibility, reliability and safety of our bus services,” said Rep. Nick Collins.
“Traffic, congestion, and overcrowded bus stops have been ongoing concerns for the South Boston community and the MBTA has a critical role to play in addressing these issues,” said Senator Linda Dorcena Forry. “After the historic winter we want to make sure that the people of South Boston are able to have a real dialogue about how to make bus service more reliable. I encourage all residents to come out and participate during this public process.”
MBTA Interim General Manager Frank DePaola said the program’s goals are a priority for the T.
“A safe ride is of the utmost importance,” DePaola said. “Any improvements in bus service that can be identified and implemented we’d consider a wise investment.”
3 Comments
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Overcrowding at stops? Please, that's not the issue, that's a symptom of a lack of enough capacity from too low of a frequency of routes.
The routes changed because of the storms last winter were great. 4th Street is too narrow to accomodate traffic in both directions and buses. If the bus route coming into South Boston is on Broadway why not make it the same going out. It is only one more block and easier for the drivers of the buses to travel. The best thing that happened was that it changed. Should have kept the streets one way also, especially with people that double park and block the street on both sides.
I have the misfortune of having to take the #10 bus out of South Boston each morning and home again from my day job – oh my god…I take an earlier one now so its ok – most mornings – but really people – if something goes wrong they take THAT bus off the grid and then we have to wait anywhere from 30 – 45 minutes if not more for another one – they have about 6 – # 7's in a row – about 5 or 6 Bayview's # 11 and a few # 9 Copley's thrown in the mix – the # 10 is already the worst running one on the whole line I think – and I have been relying on that bus to get to work for almost 30 years now…this isn't my first rodeo…the people going into the South Station/Downtown area are no more important nor are their jobs than the other routes – I get the part of everyone freaking out if they can't get on – I work a night job that I have to take the # 7 to and from…. and heaven forbid eveyone move back and make room…..but no – that bus coming home later at night goes by – yet I can see space if people moved back – and then I have to wait almost 20-25 minutes for another one (after a certain time in the evening they start slowing them down as well) ……lets all have a little consideration for each other when we are able to get on the bus – move the heck back like the driver tells people to.. a few times I've heard the driver yell come on people move back and everyone just stands there like uh is he talking to me…..your not the only one riding it…so move and don't be so rude…..or inconsiderate …..and then the interesting fact about them moving the O Street stop – I heard its because of the school – yet it stops coming home across from it and has forever – they always ran Broadway to and from and there was never an issue – snow or no snow…you mean to tell me there isn't a school in Boston that has a bus stop in front of it – I find that hard to believe…that school isn't even open in the morning when most people are going to work….I know it annoyed alot of the triple parkers that they had to walk their child a few steps when the stop was there and he/she got a few drops of rain on them – heaven forbid…but really…..the bus stops should ALL be on Broadway the same way the were on 4th Street – and that includes O Street…..not moved because someone important probably has a kid or relative that goes there…..BUT I do think that people should be able to park in the bus stops @ night when they stop running and until they start again in the morning – it may not help with the parking but they can do it at some of the school parking lots then move by a certain time…..well thank you for your time and I look forward to seeing all my fellow bus riders at one of the meetings coming up.