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
- E-bike transition support for food delivery workersAsks the city to help delivery workers switch from loud, polluting mopeds and motorcycles to e-bikes, with cheaper options and road safety training for workers who are often immigrants.2026–27City-wide
- More e-bikes in BluebikesResident asks for more e-bikes in the Bluebikes system as an affordable, low-carbon option that improves access to areas with limited transit.2026–27City-wide
- Bus linking Dorchester, South Boston and East BostonResident asks for a direct, affordable bus connecting Dorchester and South Boston to East Boston, including a summer beach shuttle, to make north-south travel easier.2026–27City-wide
- Trolley from JFK/UMass to Castle IslandResident asks for a seasonal or year-round trolley between JFK/UMass station and Castle Island, plus a more bike- and pedestrian-friendly Columbia Road roundabout, to reduce traffic and parking problems.2026–27South Boston
- More benches at bus stopsResident asks for benches at more bus stops, with priority locations identified by surveying bus drivers, to improve comfort for riders, especially elderly and disabled people.2026–27Dorchester
- Electric shuttle from Aquarium Station to SeaportResident asks for a pilot zero-emission electric shuttle from Aquarium Station to the Seaport, which lacks direct subway access, giving transit riders an affordable car-free connection.2026–27South Boston Waterfront
- Electric shuttle from Aquarium Station to SeaportResident asks for a pilot zero-emission electric shuttle from Aquarium Station to the Seaport, which lacks direct subway access, giving transit riders an affordable car-free connection.2026–27South Boston Waterfront
- Pilot direct ferry between East Boston and CharlestownResident asks for a pilot harbor ferry linking East Boston and Charlestown to give residents an affordable, car-free connection to jobs, services and businesses.2026–27City-wide
- Pilot direct ferry between East Boston and CharlestownResident asks for a pilot harbor ferry linking East Boston and Charlestown to give residents an affordable, car-free connection to jobs, services and businesses.2026–27City-wide
- Pilot direct ferry between East Boston and CharlestownResident asks for a pilot harbor ferry linking East Boston and Charlestown to give residents an affordable, car-free connection to jobs, services and businesses.2026–27City-wide
- Durable benches along walking routes and transit corridorsResident asks for durable, comfortable benches with armrests along major walking routes, transit corridors, and outside local grocery stores.2026–27City-wide
- Raised textured boarding pads at busy bus stopsResident asks for raised, textured concrete boarding pads at high-volume bus stops to make boarding safer and easier for seniors and visually impaired riders.2026–27City-wide
- Solar lighting inside dark bus sheltersResident asks for low-cost solar lights inside dark neighborhood bus shelters to improve nighttime safety for waiting riders.2026–27City-wide
- Real-time bus arrival boards at key stopsResident asks for digital arrival boards at key transit stops showing real-time bus schedules so riders can plan trips reliably.2026–27City-wide
- Taxi driver fund from $1 card fare surchargeThe resident proposes adding $1 to credit card taxi fares to fund driver benefits, accessible vehicles and the senior coupon program.2026–27City-wide
- More parking at Franklin ParkResident asks for additional, enhanced parking at Franklin Park to handle the new stadium and growing attendance at the golf course and zoo.2026–27Dorchester
- Subsidized rideshare and taxis to reduce trafficResident proposes a trial subsidizing rideshare and taxis to downtown, the airport, Charlestown and the Seaport to cut traffic, with long-term funding from road tolls.2026–27Downtown
- More e-bikes and Bluebikes stationsResident asks the city to raise e-bikes to 50% of the Bluebikes fleet and add 100 more stations, noting many riders have lower incomes or are people of color.2026–27City-wide
- More trains and buses for frequent serviceResident asks the city to buy more commuter rail trains, MBTA vehicles and buses for more frequent service, helping working people have better work/life balance.2026–27City-wideSubmitted in Korean
- Lower bus and train faresResident asks for lower bus and train fares so everyone benefits.2026–27Roxbury