Transit & getting around
Better bus, rail, ferry, bike-share and parking options for moving around the city.
Residents consistently ask for comfortable, weather-protected bus stops, more places to park, easier bike access, and more frequent, better-connected transit.
Theme grouped and summary written with AI from this theme's resident ideas.
197 ideas across three cycles
| Cycle | Ideas | Share of all ideas | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | 74 | 6.1% | 5 of 20 |
| 2025–26 | 65 | 5.4% | 5 of 20 |
| 2026–27 | 58 | 4.4% | 11 of 20 |
Needs that keep coming back
Shelters, benches and weather protection at bus stops
Residents want seating, roofs and heat or cold protection at bus and T stops, especially for older adults, disabled riders and children waiting in extreme weather.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
More public and resident parking
Residents in East Boston, Chinatown, South Boston and other crowded areas ask for more parking lots, garages, spaces and meters, and say shortages hit low-income residents hardest.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
Affordable bike access and secure bike parking
Residents ask for free or cheaper Bluebikes access, more stations and e-bikes, and covered, secure bike parking to make cycling a practical alternative to driving.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
More frequent service and expanded rail and bus links
Residents ask for more buses, more consistent service, new bus routes and rail extensions, such as the Orange Line to Hyde Park, Roslindale and West Roxbury, so neighborhoods have better connections.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
Real-time arrival information
Residents want digital signs or timers at stops and stations showing when buses and trains will arrive, so riders can plan trips reliably.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
2024–25
Ideas ranged widely, with many requests for free parking lots near the T and in East Boston, bus stop amenities, Blue Hill Ave 45 bus detour fixes, and large rail and bus-route proposals.
2025–26
Heated, cooled and shaded bus shelters and parking requests (East Boston, Chinatown) were most common, alongside new ideas such as pedicab rides, a harbor circulator ferry pilot and free public transit.
2026–27
Benches and seating at bus stops stayed prominent, with new interest in quick-build bus platforms, more e-bikes in Bluebikes, EV chargers and ferry or shuttle pilots, while the theme fell to rank 11 of 20.
New in 2026–27
New or growing asks include quick-build floating bus stops and platforms, public EV chargers for renters, more e-bikes in Bluebikes, a pilot East Boston–Charlestown ferry, an Aquarium–Seaport electric shuttle, and lower fares.
Funding so far
The 2024-25 winning bench project addresses the recurring bench request, but full weather shelters, parking, bike-share and bike parking, real-time arrival information and more frequent service have not yet been addressed by a winning project.
Projects are linked to themes by matching each project's description to the themes; this is not an official City classification.
Install Benches at High Ridership Bus Stops
2024–25 · $150,000
This proposal will allow the City's Transportation Department to install benches at high-ridership bus stops across the City.
Departments that often lead this work
- Boston Transportation Department
Suggested with AI; not an official assignment of responsibility.
Ideas in Transit & getting around
9 ideas
2024–25: 4 · 2025–26: 2 · 2026–27: 3 (of 197 in this theme)
- More parking on Commonwealth AveResident asks for more parking along Commonwealth Avenue in Allston and Brighton.2026–27Brighton
- Weather-protective shelters for 57, 86 and 65 bus stopsResident asks for heat and cold protective shelters at stops on the 57, 86 and 65 routes in Allston-Brighton, since all riders need shelter while waiting.2026–27Brighton
- More non-weaponized benches near Allston-Brighton bus stopsResident asks for more benches without anti-homeless design features near bus stops in Allston and Brighton.2026–27Brighton
- More frequent 65 bus, extended to Oak SquareResident asks for more frequent 65 bus service and extending its terminus to Oak Square.2025–26Brighton
- Reduced tolls for BrightonOffer Allston/Brighton residents reduced tolls, as East Boston has.2025–26Brighton
- Replace the 57 bus with Green Line trolleyResident asks to replace the 57 bus with a Green Line train because traffic makes the bus slow for riders from outlying neighborhoods commuting to East Boston.2024–25Brighton
- Consolidate Route 86 bus stopsResident asks to merge the Union St and Wallingford Rd stops on the 86 bus into one stop in front of 66 Chestnut Hill Ave for more efficient service.2024–25Brighton
- Route 86 bus to Boston Landing stationResident asks to divert the 86 bus to Boston Landing commuter rail station as a replacement, since the route is planned to be cut back to Harvard.2024–25Brighton
- Upgrade four T stops with shelters and lightsWiden the South Street, Chestnut Hill Ave, Chiswick Rd and Sutherland Rd T stops and add barriers, shelters and lights because they are inaccessible and dangerous.2024–25Brighton