MBTA Better Bus Project Moves Forward with Near-Term Changes

Weymouth, MA – In 2018, the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) launched the Better Bus Project as part of an $8 billion initiative to improve and modernize the MBTA bus system as a whole. According to the MBTA, the Better Bus Project has several components: continuous improvement, research and analysis, route changes, investment strategy, and a network redesign.

The first phase of the project included a study of existing routes, market analysis, and bus route profiles that culminated in 47 near-term change proposals. In April 2019, the MBTA’s Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) approved 27 of the 47 proposals without changes, and 9 with adjustments based on public feedback. The service changes were adopted in May of 2019 and are planned to take effect on September 1, 2019.

Of these 36 changes, two will directly impact the bus routes servicing Weymouth. Weymouth is currently serviced by four MBTA bus routes: Route 220 which travels from Quincy Center Station to Hingham; Route 221 Quincy Center to Fort Point; Route 222 travelling from Quincy Center Station to East Weymouth; and Route 225 (225C) travelling from Quincy Center Station to Weymouth Landing or Columbian Square.

The Better Bus Project has presented proposed changes directly affecting Weymouth riders for Routes 222 and 225 which aim to reduce wait times, provide a faster and more reliable ride, and reduce passenger travel time. Changes have also been adopted for the 220 route; however, these will only directly impact the route through Hingham and not impact the stops in Weymouth.

Weymouth Town Staff participated in the Better Bus Project listening sessions to learn about the proposals and provide feedback to the MBTA. In addition, Mayor Robert Hedlund submitted a letter of support for the initial proposals as well as provided a number of recommendations for the next phases of the project.

“The changes proposed by the Better Bus Route project will result in improvements in the frequency of buses along main corridors in Town, improvements in ride time, and access to the Braintree T Station,” said Mayor Hedlund. “We recognize there are still transportation gaps in the Town of Weymouth, specifically the provision of transportation for the Town’s low-moderate income census tract areas. We look forward to working with the MBTA in the next phases of the project to improve service to Environmental Justice areas, the Weymouth Senior Center, and the South Weymouth Commuter Rail Station.”

The near-term solutions adopted by the MBTA are intended to be cost-neutral, and the Better Bus Project will work with the Fiscal Management Control Board to secure funding for future phases which will include a network redesign and adding operators to various lines. This work will continue in late 2019.

Near-term Changes to Weymouth Bus Routes

The MBTA has published all near-term changes here and a summary of the changes directly impacting Weymouth is available below:

Route 222

Changes on Route 222 will result in elimination of mid-day service from Essex Street in Weymouth.  All trips will be by way of North and Middle Streets. This will reduce the distance traveled and time to complete the loop, resulting in faster and more reliable service at midday.

The MBTA estimates that midday riders will experience a 16-minute shorter wait time between Church and Broad St., a 2-minute faster trip for those traveling past Church or Broad St., and about 11 passenger hours saved each weekday. The goal is to have buses that are on time and come more often.  A small number of riders on Essex Street are potentially inconvenienced by the elimination of Essex Street service, but many of them can be serviced by the Weymouth Elder Services van.

Route 225

Changes to route 225 will result in better connections by creating a new service line and removing the 225 route variation, reducing service to Shaw St./Hayward St. so as to increase frequency of buses along the Route.

The 225 route variant down to Columbian Square will be removed. However, the new Route 226 will provide service connecting Columbian Square and the Braintree T Station by way of Weymouth Landing.  Route 226 passengers will be able to transfer to the Route 225 bus at Weymouth Landing for connections to Quincy Center.  South Weymouth riders using the Red Line during the evening rush hour will be able to avoid the frequent bus overcrowding at Quincy Center by boarding their bus at Braintree.

The MBTA estimates that Route 225 riders will experience 1 to 2-minute shorter wait times, and a 2-minute faster trip.

Route 220

Changes to Route 220 will not directly impact routes in Weymouth. The service will be shifted in Hingham by eliminating the trips through the Shipyard and the route will end at Hingham Depot. The MBTA estimates a 2-minute faster trip for riders going through the Shipyard, a 2-minute time savings on those not using the Hingham loop, and about 37 passenger hours saved each weekday. This will have a positive impact for Weymouth riders.

The full list of near-term changes can be viewed here. To learn more about the proposed changes and Better Bus Project as a whole, be sure to visit the project’s webpage. To receive the latest project information and find out about public events, sign up for email updates here or contact betterbusproject@mbta.com.

For specific questions on the process or how the changes may impact riders, contact the Weymouth Department of Planning and Community Development.