Special to the Record
The MBTA will launch Phase 1 of its Bus Network Redesign on Dec. 15, marking the start of a series of updates aimed at improving bus service for riders.
This phase includes the combination of Chelsea’s Bus Routes 116 and 117 into one new Frequent Bus Route 116, which will operate every 15 minutes or better from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily (Sundays may start as late as 6 a.m.).
Additionally, on Oct. 20, the MBTA began work on 2nd Street in Chelsea and Everett to create dedicated bidirectional bus lanes in preparation for the new Frequent Route 104, which will also serve Chelsea and Everett. This route will also operate every 15 minutes every day during service hours.
Approximately one mile of new bus lanes will be added to 2nd Street to support the new Frequent Bus Route 104, helping to ensure fast and reliable service. The westbound lane will extend from Spruce Street in Chelsea to Revere Beach Parkway in Everett, with an eastbound segment running from the Everett city line at Market Street to just shy of Spruce Street.
Route 116 currently provides service from Wonderland to Maverick via Revere Street, Broadway, Bellingham Square, and Meridian Street, while Route 117 follows a route from Wonderland to Maverick via Central Avenue and Beach Street. The two routes will be combined into a single Frequent Route 116, discontinuing Route 117.
The December 15 launch of new Frequent Route bus service will include changes to six bus routes: 86, 104, 109, 110, 116, and 117, serving the communities of Chelsea, Everett, Revere, Malden, East Boston, Somerville, Cambridge, Allston, and Brighton. Service on these routes will increase by 60% overall compared to today’s service.
City officials stated that benefits for Chelsea riders will include:
Simplified Routes: Routes 116 and 117 will merge into a single Route 116, and two out of three Route 110 variants will be removed for all-day consistency.
Updated Navigation: New bus stop signs and maps will help customers easily navigate the system at affected routes, stops, and stations.
Improved Snow Removal: Snow removal will expand to all stops served by Frequent Bus routes.
These changes reflect feedback from riders and community partners gathered during the Bus Network Redesign study. The implementation will occur in phases.
To sign up for T Alerts, visit www.mbta.com/alerts/bus and for more information, read the full press release here, and visit MBTA.com/BNRPhase1.