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, more extensive bus and train serviceResident asks for extended bus and train routes, more staff presence, security cameras at stations and upgraded transit technology so underserved communities have safe, reliable transit.2025–26City-wide
- Municipal parking lot near Speedway on Western AveBuild a municipal lot near the Speedway on Western Ave to replace parking lost to bike lanes, helping visitors reach local businesses owned mostly by women, immigrants and people of color.2025–26Allston
- Improve bus stops with seating and shelterImprove bus stops, since some lack seating and others are too far apart, so children do not get soaked in the rain.2025–26DorchesterSubmitted in Spanish
- 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
- Improve and expand parking in East BostonThe resident asks to improve and expand parking for East Boston residents, noting neighbors have been complaining about parking problems.2025–26East Boston
- More public parkingResident asks for more public parking.2025–26Unspecified
- More parking lots in East BostonResident asks for more parking lots because there is little parking available in East Boston.2025–26Downtown
- Arrival timers at bus stopsInstall timers at bus stops showing when buses will arrive.2025–26City-wide
- Heat-safe bus sheltersProvide bus shelters that keep riders safe in hot weather.2025–26City-wide
- Bus shelters for hot and cold weatherBuild bus shelters that protect riders in both hot and cold weather so transit users are safe and cared for.2025–26City-wide
- Reduced tolls for BrightonOffer Allston/Brighton residents reduced tolls, as East Boston has.2025–26Brighton
- Benches and roofs at busy bus stopsThe resident asks for comfortable benches and roofs at high-demand stops, with local art in the design, prioritizing areas with older adults and students.2025–26City-wide
- Seating and shelter at bus stopsThe resident asks for more seating and covers at bus stops to protect from sun and rain.2025–26City-wide
- Bus bulb at Burroughs and Centre StreetsResident asks for a bus bulb at Burroughs and Centre because parked cars block the stop, hindering accessibility and slowing boarding.2025–26Jamaica Plain
- Remove outdoor seating to add parkingResident asks to remove a restaurant's outdoor seating to create more parking.2025–26Dorchester
- Heated bus stops for winterResident asks for heated bus stops because winters get very cold.2025–26City-wide
- Fewer construction disruptions on the TResident asks for improvements to the T so there are fewer construction-related service breaks overall.2025–26City-wide
- Public electric scooter share like BluebikesResident proposes electric scooters as public transportation similar to Bluebikes, convenient for people who can't drive or ride bikes.2025–26City-wide
- Designated rideshare drop-off spots in the North EndResident suggests the City and Uber and Lyft agree on three drop-off locations in the North End to reduce sharp turns on narrow streets and save drivers time.2025–26North End
- Fix broken escalatorsResident asks for escalators to be fixed, without specifying a location or giving a reason.2025–26Jamaica Plain