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
- Safer public transportationResident asks for public safety and transportation improvements so people can travel to work and elsewhere safely.2025–26City-wide
- Bus stops with shelter, heat and air conditioningResident asks for bus stops that provide shelter plus heating and air conditioning depending on the season.2025–26City-wide
- Heated and cooled bus stop stationsResident proposes heating and air conditioning at bus stops so everyone can wait safely and comfortably in winter and summer.2025–26City-wide
- Weather protection at prioritized bus stopsResident wants bus stops prioritized for protection from extreme weather, such as those far from stations or lacking shade, since seniors, teens and kids wait there.2025–26City-wide
- Durable bus shelters with fans and heat protectionResident asks for metal bus shelters with fans and better cover on busy routes like Blue Hill Ave, to protect riders from extreme heat and cold.2025–26Dorchester
- Match state funds to study Orange Line extensionResident asks the city to match the state's $100,000 to study extending the Orange Line to Roslindale and on to the WREC, since the school site lacks transit access.2025–26West Roxbury
- Fund wheelchair accessible vehicles for taxi companiesResident proposes funding one or two wheelchair accessible vehicles for cab companies, directed by the Disabilities Commission, to expand accessible transportation and create a driving job.2025–26City-wide
- Extend Orange Line to West RoxburyResident asks for an Orange Line extension to West Roxbury to give neighborhoods with costly or infrequent commuter rail better access to downtown.2025–26West Roxbury
- Short-term corner parking to keep bike lanes clearResident asks for 15-minute parking at corners for delivery and rideshare drivers so they stop using bike lanes as temporary parking.2025–26City-wide
- More parking for residentsProvide more parking for residents, noting low-income people are most affected by the shortage.2025–26South Boston
- More community parking lotsAdd more community parking lots, with neighbors participating in caring for them.2025–26City-wide
- Secure carpooling app for Boston commutersCreate a secure carpooling app to reduce traffic, pollution and commuting costs, and expand safe, affordable transportation for underserved communities and late-night workers.2025–26City-wide
- Short-term storage lockers near transit and landmarksResident proposes public short-term lockers near transit stops and landmarks so people can safely store bulky bags when entering businesses or facilities that don't allow them.2025–26City-wide
- Repair and clean Forest Hills stationResident asks for repairs at Forest Hills station, including updated bathrooms, fixing platform leaks, painting and cleaning, to improve conditions for the diverse people it serves.2025–26Jamaica Plain
- Shelters and benches at bus stopsResident asks for shelters and benches at bus stops.2025–26East Boston
- More parking areas for vehiclesResident asks for more parking zones with space for cars, motorcycles and bicycles.2025–26Unspecified
- Improve public transportationResident asks for better public transportation to improve mobility for people.2025–26City-wide
- Shade structures at Metropolitan Hill bus stopsResident asks for sun shades at unshaded MBTA bus stops in the Met Hill area, especially after tree removal, to help riders as the area gets warmer.2025–26Roslindale
- Free public transportationResident asks for free public transit because some people cannot afford cars, working parents cannot drive their kids, and youth want places to go without paying fares.2025–26City-wide
- More accessible parking near residents' homesResident asks for accessible parking near homes, saying non-residents, restaurant patrons and street cleaning make it hard for residents to find parking.2025–26East Boston