Closing the loop on public transportation in Waltham
I recently learned about the upcoming MBTA bus network redesign virtual info session on Nov. 16 at 6 p.m. about changes to the 70 route (and basically all other bus routes in Waltham). I’m very excited to see the proposals to convert the existing 500-series “express” bus routes in Waltham to local bus routes with increased service, extended routes, and more destination options. I hope that the MBTA implements these much needed changes as soon as possible! As someone living on the east-side of Waltham, I particularly look forward to the 554 route turning into a local 54 route that stops in Waverley before continuing to Arlington.
However, I also sent feedback to the MBTA staff hosting the event to consider either extending the 73 bus route west along Trapelo Road (and/or extending the 61 bus route east along Trapelo Road) to “close the loop” in northern Waltham along Trapelo Road between I-95/Rte-128 interchange and the Waverley Square commuter rail and bus station.
While the new MBTA proposal “re-centers” all Waltham bus routes around the Waltham Common and the commuter rail station (an excellent choice for southern Waltham), it ignores the fact that many residents in northern Waltham could actually benefit more by having direct access to Belmont, Cambridge and Boston via the commuter rail and bus station in Waverley Square without putting extra pressure on the already congested loop around the Waltham Common.
Above and beyond commuting considerations, a city-spanning Trapelo Road bus route would “close the loop” for residents looking to visit all of the recreational parks, grocery stores, shopping centers and office locations that are otherwise inaccessible without getting in a car, require lengthy diversions into downtown Waltham to catch a connecting bus, or require biking on a narrow road with large hills that would be infeasible or unsafe for many young, elderly and disabled residents.
This improvement along with the other MBTA-proposed changes would transformer Waltham into a safer and easier to navigate city.
Sean Diamond
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A route 54 bus would be a godsend for me, since that route is expected to go to Arlington Center where I now live. Most of my social activities are still in Waltham and I hate driving on Pleasant Street through Belmont to reach Waltham. A 54 will be an awesome one seat ride instead. I’m also excited for better service on the 70, another route I used to take often.
I would love to see a connection to Alewife that is time sensitive and doesn’t consist of a lot of transfers.
I may not be from Waltham but more bus service is the answer. Especially for the elderly and the disabled. Waltham was always hard to get to when you don’t drive. I hope the changes the MBTA will make it easier to get around the city.
A few baseline facts about the MBTA: 1) municipalities pay an annual fee to get any services – $ on top of fares 2) the legacy cities like Boston and Newton get preferential treatment and less route cuts. 3) it is quicker to get to Boston from Framingham MA on public transit- which is twice the distance of Waltham.
I agree that getting the bus routes for all wards is desirable. The buses help with mobility for the elderly and those unable to drive due to physical constraints as well as affordability. Converting all the busses with 55* routes means longer commutes into Longwood and South Station. Those routes historically were used by the middle class to earn higher wages in Boston to work in medicine, finance and law. The MBTA by making those 55*buses local routes are improving service to Newton residents. They already have access to multiple stops on the committee rail, multiple subway lines and buses to malls.
While governments do not compare costs to revenue for services, I have done the math in the past. Waltham annual fees + ridership fares was sufficient to cover costs. As a working class community it would be equitable for us to receive the same level of service as Boston.
This is only possible if residents advocate with our city government to be proactive in maintaining existing service and expanding it. After all, Waltham complied with the new high density requirement from the MBTA.
I could not agree more. A bus route along Trapelo Rd Waverly Sq to Wyman St office parks would fill a long standing void in Waltham public transportation. I’ve been around long enough to remember the state run “blue bus” that serviced the three hospitals along Trapelo, Waverly to Wallex. As a kid I took it to Waverly to catch the bus to Harvard Sq. Bring it back!
My wife and I are all for a bus route along Trapelo Road! We’ve long dreamed of being able to access Boston car-free, and a bus that could take us to Waverley Square would be perfect! Beyond getting to Boston though, just having more bus options in Waltham would be huge for helping us commute about the city.
Sean makes a great point about the transit needs of our east side residents. In order for Waltham to continue thriving as a central hub in the MetroWest, we cannot leave any neighborhood disconnected.
Linking east-side neighborhoods directly to the Waverly Oaks transit hub makes good sense. It supports both local mobility and smart housing growth. When we connect our residential areas to reliable transit, residents get better access to regional jobs without adding more car traffic to our streets. As Sean so importantly points out, expanding these connections makes Waltham safer and much easier for everyone to navigate. We need to think holistically about how every corner of our city connects to the broader region.