MBTA Forge Ahead Impact on Newton

General Discussion
1

As you are likely aware the MBTA has proposed massive reductions in service to meet current budget shortfalls. These changes would likely be significant in Newton as we are viewed as a community that can afford to drive if service is cut. There will be a letter out from the CC by the end of the day stating our concern about the cuts’ impact on our region’s ability to address climate change, housing, congestion and the state’s economic recovery in a post-COVID world. We are also concerned that the plan will have secondary, disparate impacts on lower income and transit dependent riders.

More information on the plan:
https://www.mbta.com/forging-ahead

MAPC Response to the MBTA Forging Ahead Plan:

The meeting for Newton is on 11/17 6pm-8pm https://www.mbta.com/events/2020-11-17/forging-ahead-virtual-public-meeting-inner-core-region-4

In looking at the detail of the proposed MBTA Forge Ahead plan, I have noted the changes on the Newton related MBTA lines. Did I get them all? Thoughts?

Route ID Route Name Frequency Changes Route Changes
Green-B Green Line - B At or above baseline frequency standards None Newton
Green-C Green Line - C At or above baseline frequency standards None Newton
Green-D Green Line - D At or above baseline frequency standards None Newton
37 37 At or above baseline frequency standards None Newton
52 52 Proposed elimination Eliminate Newton
57 57 At or above baseline frequency standards None Newton
59 59 Below baseline levels of service possible None Newton
60 60 Below baseline levels of service possible None Newton
501 501 Below baseline levels of service possible Consolidate Newton
502 502 Below baseline levels of service possible Consolidate Newton
503 503 Below baseline levels of service possible Consolidate Newton
504 504 Below baseline levels of service possible Consolidate Newton
505 505 Proposed elimination Eliminate Newton
553 553 Below baseline levels of service possible Shorten Newton
554 554 Below baseline levels of service possible Shorten Newton
556 556 Below baseline levels of service possible Shorten Newton
558 558 Below baseline levels of service possible Shorten Newton
CR-Worcester CR-Worcester Below baseline levels of service possible No weekend service Newton
3

Elimination of the 52 bus means there is no public transportation to Oak Hill/Newton South/Brown schools for staff who arrive on public transit. Many students who do not otherwise qualify for the yellow bus also use the bus. The MBTA notes that if ridership returns they will consider increasing service, but in the case of eliminating a route that cannot be the case. These secondary schools have been fully remote (spring) and now largely remote (high needs-only students) so of course ridership is low.

4

This bus also serves Newton Country Day and Mt Alvernia. My children who went to Bigelow would use this in the winter and the bus was full.

5

I have to imagine that John Sisson in Dedham is also concerned about the
loss of this bus. My guess is that a lot of employees at or near the Dedham
Mall use this for work.