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
- Express buses from southern neighborhoods to downtownUse the funds for express buses from Mattapan, Ashmont, Cleary Square and Roslindale to downtown Boston, Cambridge and Back Bay, to fill transit gaps.2024–25City-wide
- Free Bluebikes memberships for more residentsResident asks for free Bluebikes memberships for more Boston residents, based on youth, income or neighborhood, to expand transportation access.2024–25City-wide
- Real-time digital signs at all T stationsResident asks for digital signage at all T stations showing real-time arrivals, delays and alerts to reduce uncertainty for riders who rely on transit.2024–25City-wide
- Upgrade PA systems at all T stationsResident asks to upgrade station PA systems for clear, timely announcements during disruptions and emergencies, helping riders who depend on transit stay informed.2024–25City-wide
- Express bus from West Roxbury to ABResident asks for an express bus connecting West Roxbury to AB to help diversify the area, ease housing pressure elsewhere and increase job opportunities.2024–25West Roxbury
- Free parking lot near the TResident asks for a free parking lot near a T station so people can partly commute into the city, reducing traffic and improving air quality.2024–25East Boston
- Free parking lot near the TResident asks for a free parking lot near a T station so people can partly commute into the city, reducing traffic and air pollution.2024–25Dorchester
- Free parking lot near the TResident asks for a free parking lot near a T station so people can partly commute into the city, reducing traffic and improving air quality.2024–25Dorchester
- Free parking lot near the TResident asks for a free parking lot near a T station so people can partly commute into the city, reducing traffic and improving air quality.2024–25Mattapan
- Free parking near T and more commuter railResident asks for a free parking lot near the T to encourage commuting and reduce traffic, plus working with the state on more frequent commuter rail.2024–25Hyde Park
- Bus linking West Roxbury, Dorchester, Southie, DowntownResident asks for a bus route connecting West Roxbury to Dorchester, South Boston and Downtown to reduce car travel.2024–25West Roxbury
- Ban valet parking on city streetsResident asks to ban valet parking on public streets because businesses have private parking and using public space this way is unfair and unproductive.2024–25West End
- Ban valet parking on city streetsResident asks to ban valet parking on public streets because businesses have private parking and using public space this way is unfair and unproductive.2024–25South Boston Waterfront
- Ban valet parking on city streetsResident asks to ban valet parking on public streets because businesses have private parking and using public space this way is unfair and unproductive.2024–25Back Bay
- More resident parking in Highland Park, RoxburyResident asks for protected resident parking in Roxbury's Highland Park, saying gentrification is making parking harder and other neighborhoods have more resident parking.2024–25Jamaica Plain
- Underground bicycle parking facilitiesResident proposes underground bike parking to relieve limited bike parking and keep sidewalks clear for pedestrians while encouraging cycling.2024–25City-wide
- Waive parking meter fees during street cleaningResidents should not pay parking meters on street cleaning days, since parking is already limited and cleaning closes many streets at once.2024–25City-wide
- More buses and more consistent bus serviceAdd more buses and make bus service more consistent on existing routes.2024–25City-wide
- Clean, reliable T elevatorsResident asks for cleaner, easier-to-use T elevators, which are often unsanitary, to support people with disabilities and families with strollers.2024–25City-wide
- MBTA surface transit priority at traffic lightsResident asks for traffic signal priority for buses and surface MBTA vehicles, because disadvantaged communities rely on public transit yet are delayed by individual vehicles at intersections.2024–25City-wide