Today, we sent a comment letter to BTD expressing our support for a modest extension of the Washington Street dedicated bus/bicycle lane from Albano to Poplar Street. Our full letter is below, also available in PDF form. If you’d like to support the bus lane extension as well, please drop in on BTD’s coffee hours at the Square Root Café next week.
Category: Transit
Washington Street Bus/Bike Lane Extension Coffee Hours Next Week
We are happy to report that BTD is looking to extend the existing inbound Washington Street Bus/Bike Lane in Roslindale from Albano Street to Poplar Street. This bus lane would help address severe congestion on Washington Street on the approach to Poplar Street. A few details provided by BTD:
- The bus lane would be in effect from 5 AM to 10 AM and would affect parking only during those times.
- The bus lane would support MBTA bus routes 34, 34E, 40, and 50. This would improve the commute time for over 1,700 riders who use this stretch of road in the morning commute hours.
- Boston Public School Buses and emergency vehicles could also use the bus lane.
BTD is hosting two coffee hours next week at the Square Root Café. We encourage folks to drop by to support this well-needed extension!
- Wednesday, October 26 from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM
- Thursday, October 27th from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
See also this BTD flyer for these events in English, Spanish, and Creole.
MBTA adds additional service to Forest Hills starting today – 6 September 2022
The MBTA Commuter Rail “Surge” Schedule for Forest Hills (plus Hyde Park and Ruggles) to Back Bay and South Station (and back) has been updated to add new service to and from Forest Hills, eliminating the “BIG GAPs” we had noted during the morning inbound peak and afternoon outbound peak, while still leaving the gaps noted. The full updated schedule can be found here.
Here’s a selected station pair – Forest Hills and South Station only – total travel time is about 13 to 15 minutes:
INBOUND FROM FOREST HILLS – WEEKDAYS
5:31am, 5:42am, 6:03am, 6:34am, 6:42am, 7:03am, 7:16am, 7:27am, 7:34am, 7:42am, 8:03am, 8:27am, 8:34am, 8:42am, 9:03am, 9:15am, 9:31am, 9:42am, 10:01am, 10:16am, 10:31am, 10:42am,11:01am, 11:31am, 11:47am, 12:17pm, 12:31pm [BIG GAP], 1:31pm, 1:47pm [BIG GAP], 2:36pm, 3:18pm, 3:36pm [BIG GAP], 4:36pm [BIG GAP], 5:36pm [BIG GAP], 6:36pm [BIG GAP], 7:36pm [BIG GAP], 9:16pm [NO MORE INBOUND FROM FOREST HILLS AFTER 9:16PM]
OUTBOUND FROM SOUTH STATION – WEEKDAYS (Applicable line noted in parentheses)
6:50am (Needham) [BIG GAP], 7:50am (Needham) [BIG GAP], 8:50am (Needham) [BIG GAP], 9:50am (Needham) [BIG GAP], 10:50am (Needham), 11:25am (Providence), 11:50am [BIG GAP] (Needham), 12:50pm (Needham), 1:05pm (Stoughton) [BIG GAP], 1:55pm (Needham), 2:05pm (Stoughton), 2:25pm (Wickford), 2:55pm (Needham), 3:25pm (Providence), 3:45pm (Forge Park), 3:55pm (Needham), 4:25pm (Providence), 4:55pm (Needham), 5:00pm (Stoughton), 5:20pm (Foxborough), 5:45pm (Forge Park), 5:55pm (Needham), 6:00pm (Stoughton), 6:45pm (Forge Park), 6:55pm (Needham), 7:00pm (Stoughton), 7:25pm (Wickford), 7:55pm (Needham), 8:00pm (Stoughton), 8:25pm (Providence), 9:00pm (Stoughton), 9:20pm (Needham), 9:45pm (Forge Park), 10:20pm (Stoughton), 11:00pm (Needham) [NO MORE OUTBOUND TO FOREST HILLS AFTER 11:00PM]
RED ALERT: It’s now official – MBTA to close down Orange Line for 30 day “accelerated” repair effort on tracks and signals
UPDATE: 17 August 2022
The MBTA Commuter Rail “Surge” Schedule for Forest Hills (plus Hyde Park and Ruggles) to Back Bay and South Station (and back) is now available. It can be found here.
Here’s a selected station pair – Forest Hills and South Station only – total travel time is about 13 to 15 minutes:
INBOUND FROM FOREST HILLS – WEEKDAYS
5:31am, 6:34am, 6:42am, 7:16am, 7:34am, 7:42am [BIG GAP], 8:34am, 8:42am, 9:14am, 9:31am, 9:42am, 10:16am, 10:31am, 10:42am [BIG GAP], 11:31am, 11:47am, 12:17pm, 12:31pm [BIG GAP], 1:31pm, 1:47pm [BIG GAP], 2:36pm, 3:18pm, 3:36pm [BIG GAP], 4:36pm [BIG GAP], 5:36pm [BIG GAP], 6:36pm [BIG GAP], 7:36pm [BIG GAP], 9:16pm [NO MORE INBOUND FROM FOREST HILLS AFTER 9:16PM]
OUTBOUND FROM SOUTH STATION – WEEKDAYS (Applicable line noted in parentheses)
6:50am (Needham) [BIG GAP], 7:50am (Needham) [BIG GAP], 8:50am (Needham) [BIG GAP], 9:50am (Needham) [BIG GAP], 10:50am (Needham) [BIG GAP], 11:50am [BIG GAP] (Needham), 12:50pm (Needham), 1:05pm (Stoughton) [BIG GAP], 1:55pm (Needham), 2:05pm (Stoughton), 2:25pm (Wickford), 2:55pm (Needham), 3:25pm (Providence), 3:55pm (Needham), 4:25pm (Providence), 4:55pm (Needham), 5:00pm (Stoughton) [BIG GAP], 5:55pm (Needham), 6:00pm (Stoughton) [BIG GAP], 6:55pm (Needham), 7:00pm (Stoughton), 7:25pm (Wickford), 7:55pm (Needham), 8:00pm (Stoughton), 8:25pm (Providence), 9:00pm (Stoughton), 9:20pm (Needham) [BIG GAP], 11:00pm (Needham) [NO MORE OUTBOUND TO FOREST HILLS AFTER 11:00PM]
INBOUND FROM FOREST HILLS – WEEKENDS [BIG GAPS THROUGHOUT]
6:31am, 6:36am, 8:36am, 8:51am, 10:36am, 10:51am, 12:36pm, 12:51pm, 2:36pm, 2:48pm, 4:36pm, 6:36pm, 8:36pm [NO MORE INBOUND FROM FOREST HILLS AFTER 8:36pm]
OUTBOUND FROM SOUTH STATION – WEEKENDS [BIG GAPS THROUGHOUT]
7:15am, 9:15am, 11:15am, 12:20pm, 1:15pm, 2:20pm, 3:15pm, 4:20pm, 5:15pm, 6:00pm, 7:15pm, 8:00pm, 10:15pm [NO MORE OUTBOUND FROM SOUTH STATION AFTER 10:15PM]
UPDATE: 15 August 2022 – NEW MBTA FLYERS NOW AVAILABLE:
Orange Line Shutdown – ENGLISH
Orange Line Shutdown – SPANISH
Orange Line Shutdown – HAITIAN CREOLE
NOTE: For travel between Roslindale and Downtown, the best bet is almost certainly going to be the Commuter Rail from either Roslindale Village, Forest Hills, or Bellevue. Without coming completely out and saying it, the T is essentially going to allow for free boarding of the system based on flashing a Charlie Card or Charlie Ticket. They are now clear that they won’t be checking the value on these passes, so basically anything will work here.
PRIOR POST FOLLOWS
Among the many issues unfortunately plaguing our region’s transit system, the state of the Orange Line’s tracks and signals has been an ongoing concern for several years as slow zones have multiplied all along the line, increasing travel times significantly and contributing to the sense of an agency on a downward trajectory at exactly the wrong time. We simply can’t afford a transit system that doesn’t work.
Today, the MBTA admitted reality, made it official, and announced a 30-day shutdown of the entire Orange Line, from Forest Hills to Oak Grove, starting at 9 pm on Friday, 19 August 2022, and ending on Monday, 19 September 2022. The MBTA’s announcement can be found here. We’ve pulled the whole thing into this post to highlight key items in planning for Roslindale residents during this period and we encourage everyone to sign up for “Orange Line Transformation Updates” with the button in the post from the T:
- Commuter Rail Access/Fair Fares: Service is being added on other lines so that they will stop more frequently at both Forest Hills and Ruggles, but beyond that, the T providing that riders can also take the Commuter Rail from Roslindale Village or Bellevue for the same price as riding the subway/bus. Just show your Charlie Card or Charlie Ticket when boarding.
- Substitute Bus Service: There will be free substitute bus service in 2 parts – Forest Hills to Back Bay and North Station to Oak Grove. How well the City of Boston and the T coordinate bus transit priority for these shuttles will be a key part of what happens here and how much pain riders have to endure. We will watch closely for announcements here.
- Other Travel Alternatives: We’re also keenly interested in how well the T coordinates increasing service on key regular bus routes that could provide replacement service, such as the 39 from Forest Hills, and what the City does on bulking up Blue Bikes and safe cycling generally along the Southwest Corridor and on Washington Street from the square to Forest Hills.
FULL MBTA ANNOUNCEMENT:
As part of the Orange Line Transformation Program, we’re accelerating important reliability upgrades during a 30-day shutdown of the entire line starting at 9 PM on August 19. Regular Orange Line service will resume on Monday, September 19.
During this acceleration, crews will complete multiple projects more than five years faster than originally planned.
Why We’re Doing This Work
Upgrades to Orange Line tracks and signals will improve safety, increase reliability, and provide smoother trips for riders.
Project Features:Rider Benefits:
- Safety: New tracks, ties, and ballast will reduce the risk of high-impact events such as derailments
- Reliability: Track and tie replacement will allow us to remove speed restrictions, resulting in faster travel times and fewer unplanned stops
Orange Line Service Alternatives
During this 30-day shutdown, a number of service alternatives will be available.
Crews will begin work at 9 PM on Friday, August 19. Regular service will resume on Monday, September 19.
Commuter Rail
The Commuter Rail may be the best option for many Orange Line riders. During this shutdown, riders can simply show their CharlieCard or CharlieTicket to conductors to ride the Commuter Rail in Zones 1A, 1 and 2. All Commuter Rail stops along the Orange Line are accessible.
Providence Line trains will make additional stops at Forest Hills:
- On weekdays, 24 Providence Line trains will stop at Forest Hills
- On weekends, 10 Providence Line trains will stop at Forest Hills
Haverhill Line trains will make additional stops at Oak Grove. Check back here for more information about this schedule coming soon.
For service on the south side of the Orange Line and to Downtown, riders can take the Needham Line, which stops at:
- Forest Hills
- Ruggles
- Back Bay
- South Station (with a connection to the Red Line)
For service on the north side of the Orange Line, riders can take the Haverhill Line, which stops at:
Shuttle Buses
Orange Line train service will be replaced with free, accessible shuttle buses:
- Between Oak Grove and North Station
- Between Back Bay and Forest Hills stations (with the exception of Massachusetts Avenue station).
Check back here for additional shuttle bus service information.
Green Line
Riders are encouraged to use Green Line service in the downtown Boston area at Government Center, Park Street, Boylston, Arlington, and Copley stations.
Neighborhood Impacts
The loudest work will occur when crews cut rails with a saw and tamp the track to the proper elevation.
Contact Us
For questions or comments related to this project, please email the Orange Line Transformation team at OLT@nullmbta.com.
To report construction issues or noise complaints, please call the OLT project hotline at 617-222-3393.
Sign Up for Orange Line Transformation Updates
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Tell our friends at ONUM how YOU get around Boston!
Act quickly, but they’ll pay for your time and a great time to let the new administration just how YOU get around this place!
WUR Housing Chair Rob Orthman’s Letter in the Roslindale Bulletin re 4198 Washington Street
We remain incredibly disappointed in the ZBA’s decision denying zoning relief to the 4198 Washington Street project as this proposal, more than many, presented a stark choice between affordable housing and community amenities on the one hand, and passive private car storage on the other. We hope Mayor Wu will scrutinize this issue closely and exercise her right to appoint members who will not prioritize parking above other urgent needs or anoint themselves de facto transportation policy czars. In any event, we were pleased that the Roslindale Bulletin chose to print a letter this week from WalkUP Board Member and Housing & Development Chair Rob Orthman. The full text of Rob’s letter is reproduced below:
NEW MEMBERS OF THE ZBA WITH EXPERIENCE IS CRUCIAL
To the Editor:Regarding the article in last week’s issue, ‘4198 Washington project fails for lack of parking’, we as a city are desperately in need of a new Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) and overall zoning reform. The recent decision by the ZBA to deny a worthwhile project at 4198 Washington Street in Roslindale Square is just the latest example of why. This is a development with levels of income-restricted housing far exceeding the city minimum requirements. It includes new, enhanced spaces for a community theater and local yogurt shop; both businesses owned by Asian-Americans. The location is transit-rich, right on the rapid bus lane to and from Forest Hills and close to the commuter rail station. And yet, members of the ZBA pedantically only focused on a lack of on-site parking in evaluating the project merits. The board members put aside support from City Councilor Arroyo, the Mayor’s Office, and many residents, and instead gave voice to bad faith efforts put forward by some residents opposed to the project to pit business owners of color against one another in an effort to defeat the project. The ZBA and opponents seem to think parking is more important than anything else including desperately needed homes for people and better spaces for our small businesses. It belies basic logic to think customer parking would be negatively affected by this new building when customer spaces are signed for 2-hours; why would any resident leave their vehicle in a spot to get ticketed every day? Having new customers living a stone’s throw from our local businesses would only benefit our business district as is. To hear the board architect proclaim that the community theater could simply be moved to a different, smaller space in the building to accommodate underground parking was particularly shocking, as if she is in any position to tell a business owner what is best for their business or what kind of space they need.
Mayor Wu takes office with the vast majority of ZBA members as holdover appointments on expired terms from prior administrations. It is imperative to have new members of the ZBA appointed that understand we live in a growing city and need to get serious about building new housing, particularly income-restricted housing, and supporting our local businesses, especially owned by individuals of color, that want to stay and grow here. More broadly, we need zoning reform that stops requiring every single development proposal to go through endless community meetings and bureaucratic approvals that only benefit the opponents of progress like happened here. We need to move past this parking-above-else mentality that is stifling progress and keeping us stuck in a place that does not benefit anyone except those who simply oppose change, no matter how they disguise it.
Robert Orthman
Roslindale
WalkUP Roslindale Congratulates Mayor-Elect Michelle Wu
Today we sent a letter to Mayor-Elect Michelle Wu, congratulating her on her decisive victory and offering some ideas for initial priorities in line with WalkUP’s mission. Our full letter is below, also available as a PDF.
Read More
Cummins Missing Middle Walk Assessment Report Released
It took some time, but the Cummins Missing Middle Walk Assessment Report has finally been released. The full report is below and also available as a PDF. We’ll be using this report to organize around and advocate for pedestrian and other non-auto safety improvements on this critical “link for people” in our neighborhood. Thanks!
Roslindale Bus Improvements
We’re a bit late to acknowledge these recent improvements for bus service in Roslindale:
- Washington Street Bus Lane: Building on the incredible success of the inbound morning bus lane on Washington Street, BTD expanded earlier this year to an afternoon outbound bus lane. Starting in late April, BTD added red paint to the southbound bus lane between Arboretum Road and Firth Road/South Street. This paint makes the bus lane more visible and prominent. The bus lane is operational between 2PM and 7PM on weekdays and enables buses to have a more reliable trip and save travel time. We’ve included some photos of the first night of striping below.
- Roslindale Village Bus Stops: Work began in May on bus stop bump-outs on Poplar Street and Corinth Street. Once completed, these bus stops will be fully ADA accessible and provide better passenger amenities such as benches, shelters, and real time arrival information. They are also better located to permit smoother flow of buses through the square, and should shave off a few minutes of travel time for some bus lines that will no longer have to go all the way around Roslindale Square in order to head south on Cummins Highway.
We’re also happy to see the old Needham Line bridge over Robert Street has finally been replaced.
Thanks to all the folks at the MBTA and BTD (especially the transit team) for their hard work in seeing these projects through!
WalkUP Roslindale Snow Clearance Collaborative – Version 4.4 – Back at it again…
We have snow falling again this evening and we are accordingly calling out our forces again – If we hit 4″ (10cm), please do what you can to clear out bus stops, crosswalk ramps, and other paths for our neighbors. If you make it out and get it done, send us before and after pictures (email Matt at mlawlor@nullrc.com) and make yourself eligible for $10 in Rozzie Bucks from our good friends and sponsors at Roslindale Village Main Street. Thanks everyone!