MBTA Key Bus Route Improvement Program Community Meeting Route 66 - Brookline February 9, 2011 Brookline Town Hall, 333 Washington St., Brookline Agenda Welcome and introductions Safety briefing/accommodations Meeting announcement Key Bus Route Program overview Existing conditions Route 66 Preliminary recommendations Next Steps Discussion 2
Introduction 15 Key Bus Routes $10 million funding 3 Project Schedule Bus Route 66 Develop Concept Jan/ Feb Mar Apr Jun Oct Finalize Plan Engineering Implementation Public Process Feb 9 4
Key Bus Route Goals Reliability less bus bunching Faster service fewer delays, less stops, shorter trip times Improved accessibility for seniors and persons with disabilities Passenger amenities shelters, benches, signage, trash receptacles 5 Route 66: Overview Harvard Sq to Dudley Station Via Union Square, Coolidge Corner, Brookline Village, and Brigham Circle Harvard University, Brigham & Women s Hospital, Reggie Lewis Center Connects to: Red, Green, Orange & Silver Lines 26 bus routes, including: KBR 1, 15, 22, 23, 28, 71, 73, 77 6
Route 66: Overview MBTA s 2 nd busiest route- Over 14,500 avg. daily boardings Peak hour headways Every 8-9 minutes On-time performance 66% Weekday Source: MBTA s 2008 Biennial Service Plan 6.2 miles long 84 Stops 43 Inbound (to Dudley Square) 41 Outbound (to Harvard Square) 7 Typical Conditions - Bus stop length too short 8
Typical Conditions - Poorly located boarding area 9 Typical Conditions - Proximity of bus stops 10
Typical Conditions - Signage Issues 11 Bus Stop Spacing Ideal spacing is 4-7 stops per mile (every 750-1,320 ft) (4-6 minutes walking distance) Route 66 has stops as close as 310 ft 12
Factors for Improving Stop Locations Ridership customer boardings and alightings Proximity to schools, medical centers etc Distance to adjacent stops Reducing traffic congestion Parking impacts Potential to add amenities shelters, benches etc. 13 Bus Stop Consolidation Benefits Shortens bus trip times Improves service reliability Minimizes stop & go experience Provides additional parking spaces Ability to provide better stop amenities 14
Good bus stop locations: Sufficient length to pull to the curb Clear boarding/alighting area Not blocking crosswalks or driveways Proper Spacing Considerate of adjacent traffic 15 Improved Accessibility Legal Mandate All bus doors must open at curb Deter cars from parking in stops Providing accessible curb access requires longer bus stops Bus stops must meet Current Guidelines for 40 buses 16
Farside 60ft Nearside 80ft Required Bus Stop Lengths 40 bus 17 Midblock (or after left hand turn) 100ft Add Pavement Markings 18
Improved Passenger Comfort & Convenience Install shelters where possible Weather protection, seating, comfort New street furniture Shelters, benches, trash barrels 19 New Bus Shelters 20
Rest on a New Bench 21 Example : Before & After Bus Stop Improvements Proposed Proposed with Amenities 22
Improving Customer Information 23 Clear Customer Information Sign upgrades Schedules at stops Maps on buses Neighborhood / bus route maps Next bus countdown 24
Reliability Issues 25 Improving Reliability 26
Traffic Signal Improvements 27 Preliminary Recommendations 28
Harvard St @ Verndale St Relocate inbound and outbound stops. Add shelter at inbound stop. 11302 1376 Proposed Proposed 29 2/11/2011 Harvard St @ Beals St Consolidate with Babcock St to nearside of Stedman St 1374 Proposed 30 2/11/2011 1373
Harvard St at Williams St Consolidate with Harvard St opp Babcock St to farside Shailer St 1306 Proposed 31 2/11/2011 1307 Harvard St @ Beacon St Relocate inbound and outbound stops to improve bus operations. Add amenities. 1308 Proposed 1372 Proposed 32 2/11/2011 Leading the Nation in Transportation Excellence www.mass.gov/massdot
Harvard St @ Sewall Ave Add new stop to reduce distance between stops*. Add bench and trash receptacle. Proposed * Only if Beacon St stop moves to farside. 33 2/11/2011 Leading the Nation in Transportation Excellence www.mass.gov/massdot Harvard St @ Marion St Consolidate with Harris St to nearside Foster St, only if shelter can be accommodated at new location. 1309 Proposed 34 2/11/2011 1310
Harvard St @ Auburn St Remove stop to improve bus stop spacing and due to low ridership. 1370 35 2/11/2011 Leading the Nation in Transportation Excellence www.mass.gov/massdot Harvard St @ Aspinwall St Rearrange furniture to improve accessibility and add shelter. 1369 36 2/11/2011 Leading the Nation in Transportation Excellence www.mass.gov/massdot
** Harvard St @ School St Relocate to farside of School St. 1311 Proposed 37 2/11/2011 Leading the Nation in Transportation Excellence www.mass.gov/massdot Harvard St @ Linden St/Pierce St Remove inbound and outbound stops to improve spacing and low ridership. 1368 38 2/11/2011 1312
Harvard St @ Washington St Lengthen stop. Add pavement markings, bench, and trash receptacle. Investigate signal improvements. 1313 39 2/11/2011 Leading the Nation in Transportation Excellence www.mass.gov/massdot Summary of Preliminary Recommendations Add shelters, benches, trash receptacles Lengthen stops for accessibility Relocate stops Consolidate stops Current Stop Plan 43 IB/41 OB Proposed Stop Plan 33 IB/36 OB Investigate traffic signal improvements Sidewalk improvements/curb extensions 40
Public Outreach 41 42 42
Comments and Next Steps Project Updates at www.mbta.com/keybusroutes Mail to Operations and Service Development, 45 High St, Boston, MA 02110 Email to keybusroutes@mbta.com Next community meeting Discussion 43 2/11/2011 Leading the Nation in Transportation Excellence www.mass.gov/massdot Discussion These are PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS We want to hear from you! 44