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
- Night construction and trolley for rerouted 45 busResident asks that construction be done at night so buses are not detoured, and for a trolley around work zones; the 45 detour leaves them far from home. Also asks for more free buses.2024–25RoxburySubmitted in Spanish
- Free trolley to bypass blocked 45 bus routeResident asks for a free trolley to cover the blocked part of the 45 bus route so riders do not have to pay extra.2024–25RoxburySubmitted in Spanish
- Sheltered bus bench at a bus stopResident asks for a sheltered bench at a bus stop where many people wait in the rain, noting some communities face longer waits in harsh conditions.2024–25Roxbury
- Parking lots and garages to ease trafficBuild parking lots and garages to help with traffic problems.2024–25East Boston
- Heated enclosed bus stopsInstall heated, enclosed bus stops for social equity.2024–25City-wide
- Shelters, charging and heating at all bus stopsThe resident asks that every bus stop have a shelter, charging stations and heating.2024–25City-wide
- Restore and expand overhead trolley bus wiresThe resident asks the city to put up and expand overhead wires for buses rather than battery buses, saying better transit helps disadvantaged people get to work.2024–25City-wide
- Better MBTA stop amenities on Morton StreetResident asks for seating, lighting, waste disposal and weather protection at MBTA stops, noting relocated Morton St stops have none and riders rely on transit.2024–25Dorchester
- Improve difficult traffic and street layoutResident says travel is difficult and the street system is poor, asking for improvement.2024–25City-wide
- Free trolley from JFK/UMass to Castle IslandProposes free, regular tram or trolley rides between JFK/UMass station and Castle Island to reduce car use and improve beach access and traffic.2024–25South Boston
- Expand transit network and build housing near itAsks for dedicated bus and bike lanes and more housing near transit, to improve affordability and reduce reliance on expensive cars.2024–25City-wide
- Study higher parking rates in dense commercial areasAsks the city to study raising parking rates in dense commercial areas to raise revenue for street improvements and reduce driving, benefiting pedestrians, cyclists and buses.2024–25City-wide
- Bike and moped parking on Harvard StSuggests converting some parking spots on Harvard St or Brighton Ave to bike and moped spots so delivery mopeds stay off sidewalks in Allston Village.2024–25Allston
- Circle line connecting T branchesResident proposes a circle subway line linking the radial T lines without going downtown, making transit more viable and accessible for lower-income residents without cars.2024–25City-wide
- Extend curb for year-round Bluebikes dockResident asks to extend the curb at this location so the Bluebikes dock is not removed in winter, improving reliability for people without cars.2024–25Back Bay
- Curb bump-outs for year-round Bluebikes docksResident asks for curb bump-outs so Bluebikes docks can stay in place through winter, improving the network's usability year-round.2024–25City-wide
- Remove parking permits and bus lanesResident asks to end resident parking permits and remove bus lanes, saying they take up road and parking space and limit who can enjoy parts of the city.2024–25City-wide
- Non-electric bicycle vouchers for those in needResident proposes a voucher program for non-electric bicycles for people with disabilities, low incomes and seniors, to reduce car use and carbon emissions.2024–25Charlestown
- More benches in public placesInstall more benches at malls, T stops and streets, since the lack of seating is painful for elderly, disabled and physically challenged people.2024–25City-wide
- Tram along Greenway between North and South StationBuild a tram connecting South Station and North Station along the Greenway to link neighborhoods efficiently.2024–25Downtown