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
- Pilot inner harbor circulator ferryResident asks to fund a pilot ferry linking East Boston, the Airport, Seaport, Aquarium, North Station and Charlestown to improve transit access for transit-dependent communities.2025–26Unspecified
- Fund train and bike lanes for walkabilityResident asks for funding for train or bike lanes to make the city more walkable, citing social, health and economic benefits.2025–26City-wideSubmitted in Italian
- More public bike parking across the cityResident asks for bike parking equal to public car parking on every street, to make biking a practical and affordable alternative to driving.2025–26City-wide
- Bus shelters at every bus stopResident asks for shelters at every bus stop in the city to protect riders from rain, snow and heat, supporting commuters who rely on public transit.2025–26City-wide
- More Bluebikes stations in South BostonResident asks for additional Bluebikes stations in South Boston to make getting around more convenient and accessible.2025–26South Boston
- Fund neighborhood pedicab rides on key daysResident asks the city to fund pedicab rides in neighborhoods on key days or times, expanding beyond downtown to serve elderly people, families and others on short trips.2025–26City-wide
- More frequent 65 bus, extended to Oak SquareResident asks for more frequent 65 bus service and extending its terminus to Oak Square.2025–26Brighton
- City-funded neighborhood pedicab programResident asks the city to fund pedicab drivers to offer rides within neighborhoods on set days or pilots, as an affordable, enjoyable option for elderly people and families.2025–26City-wide
- More Chinatown parking and stronger road safetyResident asks for more parking spaces in Chinatown and stronger road safety measures.2025–26City-wideSubmitted in Chinese
- More parking spaces in ChinatownResident asks the city to add parking spaces in Chinatown.2025–26ChinatownSubmitted in Chinese
- Retrack Savin Hill Station for Braintree trainsResident asks to retrack Savin Hill Station so Braintree trains can stop there, since Dorchester residents currently wait about twice as long for service.2025–26Dorchester
- More parking meters and spaces in ChinatownResident asks for more parking meters and spaces so more Chinese residents can gather in Chinatown, supporting community culture.2025–26ChinatownSubmitted in Chinese
- More parking spaces and meters in ChinatownResident asks for more parking spaces and meters and a reorganized road layout in Chinatown to make parking easier and strengthen community cohesion.2025–26ChinatownSubmitted in Chinese
- Transportation for elderly Asian community membersResident says elderly people in Asian communities lack transportation for daily chores and community events, and asks for help getting around the city.2025–26Chinatown
- Build more public parking around BostonResident asks for funds to build public parking spaces around Boston because finding parking is a common struggle, aiming to reduce driver frustration.2025–26City-wide
- Reinstall removed bus lanesResident asks the City to bring back bus lanes that were removed, to benefit bus riders.2025–26City-wide
- New bus route linking Forest Hills, Coolidge Corner, AllstonThe resident asks for a bus route from Forest Hills through Coolidge Corner to Allston/Brighton to improve access to jobs.2025–26Jamaica Plain
- Congestion tax in downtown BostonThe resident proposes a congestion charge in downtown hub areas, like New York's, to encourage bus and train use and reduce traffic, and wants MBTA reliability improved.2025–26City-wide
- Free public transit, more bikes, community grocery storeResident asks for free public transportation, more bikes and a community grocery store so more people can travel and experience the city's culture and diversity.2025–26City-wide
- More bus, ferry and train access in East BostonResident asks for more access to buses, ferries and trains, noting East Boston is a diverse and busy area.2025–26East Boston