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
- Tool locker buildings for tradespeople to ease parkingThe resident suggests working with trade unions to rent buildings with lockers for workers' tools so they can use the MBTA or rides, avoid tickets, and free up parking.2025–26City-wide
- Reduce Summer Street traffic congestionThe resident asks to widen Summer St. or add a cable car system, citing worsening traffic from Dorchester cut-through drivers and a planned development at 776 Summer St.2025–26South Boston Waterfront
- Continued funding for MBTA service and upgradesResident asks for continued support of T service, including track upgrades and service extensions, to give car-free residents and ethnic communities better transit options.2025–26City-wide
- Affordable bike and e-bike access for all residentsResident wants every Boston resident to have access to a bike, e-bike or other mobility vehicle meeting their needs, since e-bikes are often unaffordable for working-class people, as part of reducing car use.2024–25City-wide
- Smart traffic lights to ease commutesResident suggests smart traffic lights to smooth commutes and reduce idling, benefiting residents and the environment.2024–25City-wide
- Benches at bus and T stopsResident asks for benches at bus and T stops that lack them because elderly and disabled riders cannot stand for long waits.2024–25City-wide
- Replace the 57 bus with Green Line trolleyResident asks to replace the 57 bus with a Green Line train because traffic makes the bus slow for riders from outlying neighborhoods commuting to East Boston.2024–25Brighton
- Expand free Bluebikes passes for youthResident asks to expand free citywide Bluebikes passes for low and middle-income youth up to age 25, promoting them in neighborhood centers and by mail to BPS students.2024–25City-wide
- More funding for The RIDEResident asks for additional funding for The RIDE paratransit service so disabled riders and seniors are not left waiting.2024–25City-wide
- Extend Orange Line to Roslindale and Hyde ParkResident asks to extend the Orange Line to Roslindale and Hyde Park using existing commuter rail tracks, to improve transit access for Hyde Park.2024–25Hyde Park
- Use funds for MBTA maintenance and delaysResident asks that funds go toward the MBTA to fix delays and address its maintenance needs.2024–25City-wide
- Consolidate Route 86 bus stopsResident asks to merge the Union St and Wallingford Rd stops on the 86 bus into one stop in front of 66 Chestnut Hill Ave for more efficient service.2024–25Brighton
- Extend Green Line under Comm Ave through AllstonResident asks to extend the Green Line subway under Commonwealth Ave through Allston.2024–25Allston
- Route 86 bus to Boston Landing stationResident asks to divert the 86 bus to Boston Landing commuter rail station as a replacement, since the route is planned to be cut back to Harvard.2024–25Brighton
- Remove Storrow Drive and create a parkResident asks to remove Storrow Drive, put Soldiers Field Road on a road diet, and turn the space into a park, citing the Pike reconstruction.2024–25City-wide
- Parking garages for West Roxbury main streetResident asks for two-to-three-story parking garages to serve small businesses, elderly and disabled people, citing inadequate parking and difficulty for older adults who cannot bike.2024–25West Roxbury
- Buy land for public parkingPurchase land for public parking because spaces are scarce and hard to find, which affects low-income residents.2024–25East Boston
- Free public parking in East BostonCreate free public parking lots to serve all of East Boston.2024–25East Boston
- Fix 45 bus detour from Blue Hill Ave constructionResident notes construction on Blue Hill Ave forces the 45 Franklin Park bus to detour, affecting riders who use the route to get home.2024–25Roxbury
- Trolley for rerouted 45 bus near Blue HillResident says long Blue Hill construction has rerouted the 45 bus and inconveniences many; suggests a trolley serving stops the bus no longer reaches.2024–25Roxbury