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: 6 · 2025–26: 1 · 2026–27: 2 (of 197 in this theme)
- Rail service for RoxburyThe resident asks for rail service to be operated in Roxbury, saying it has been promised for a long time but not delivered, unlike wealthier areas.2026–27RoxburySubmitted in Korean
- Lower bus and train faresResident asks for lower bus and train fares so everyone benefits.2026–27Roxbury
- Covered bus stops with benches on both sidesAdd covered bus stops with benches on both sides of a busy route near Blue Hill Ave, where elders, parents and youth wait exposed to weather.2025–26Roxbury
- Fix 45 bus detour from Blue Hill Ave constructionResident notes construction on Blue Hill Ave forces the 45 Franklin Park bus to detour, affecting riders who use the route to get home.2024–25Roxbury
- Trolley for rerouted 45 bus near Blue HillResident says long Blue Hill construction has rerouted the 45 bus and inconveniences many; suggests a trolley serving stops the bus no longer reaches.2024–25Roxbury
- Night construction and trolley for rerouted 45 busResident asks that construction be done at night so buses are not detoured, and for a trolley around work zones; the 45 detour leaves them far from home. Also asks for more free buses.2024–25RoxburySubmitted in Spanish
- Free trolley to bypass blocked 45 bus routeResident asks for a free trolley to cover the blocked part of the 45 bus route so riders do not have to pay extra.2024–25RoxburySubmitted in Spanish
- Sheltered bus bench at a bus stopResident asks for a sheltered bench at a bus stop where many people wait in the rain, noting some communities face longer waits in harsh conditions.2024–25Roxbury
- Upgrade Silver Line to true BRTResident asks to upgrade the Silver Line to real bus rapid transit standards, noting it was promised to be equal or better than the Orange Line.2024–25Roxbury