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
197 ideas
2024–25: 74 · 2025–26: 65 · 2026–27: 58
- Fix the deteriorating subway systemResident says commuting on the T is dangerous because the subway is falling apart and asks for improvements for more accessible travel.2024–25City-wide
- Shift from car-dependent to transit and bike infrastructureResident asks the city to prioritize public transit and bike- and pedestrian-friendly paths over car-dependent infrastructure to improve access and opportunity.2024–25City-wide
- 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
- 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
- Center-running bus lane on Mass AveBuild a center-running bus lane on Mass Ave like Columbus Ave because the number 1 bus is slow, to strengthen sustainable transportation.2024–25Fenway
- Lower ferry fares to Boston Harbor IslandsReduce resident ferry costs to the Boston Harbor Islands, currently $25 per adult at peak times, so public access to the National Park is affordable.2024–25City-wide
- Off-street bike parking in downtown BostonResident asks for bike valets or high-capacity bike parking in converted garage space at Downtown Crossing, North Station and Post Office Square to encourage biking.2024–25Downtown
- Subsidize standard non-electric bicyclesResident asks the city to subsidize standard bicycles as well as e-bikes, since not everyone wants or has storage for an e-bike.2024–25City-wide
- Improve bus routes and add more stopsResident asks to improve public transportation routes and add more stops along bus routes.2024–25City-wide
- More covered bike parking near transitResident asks for more bike parking, ideally covered, to encourage use of the T, improve fitness and support climate readiness.2024–25City-wide
- Connect the Red Line and Blue LineResident asks for a connection between the Red and Blue Lines so riders can transfer directly between them.2024–25City-wide
- Parking lot in East BostonBuild a parking lot or extra parking spaces in East Boston for residents who work multiple jobs at varying hours and drive to work.2024–25East Boston
- Protected bike and stroller parkingProvide secure parking for bikes and strollers so people who bike and families with young children can store them safely, encouraging active transport.2024–25City-wide
- Benches at South Bay bus stopsResident asks for benches at bus stops in South Bay.2024–25Dorchester
- Remove bike lanes and fix River Street bridgeResident asks to remove bike lanes in congested neighborhoods and repair or replace the River Street/Hyde Park Avenue bridge, citing long car travel times between Hyde Park and Roxbury.2024–25City-wide
- Congestion pricing for downtown BostonResident proposes electronic tolling and congestion pricing downtown to cut traffic and pollution, fund the MBTA and other projects, and possibly free garages for affordable housing.2024–25City-wide
- Better bus and train stops in Brighton and AllstonResident asks for more user-friendly bus and train stops in Brighton and Allston with better shelter from extreme heat and cold.2024–25City-wide