Watertown Town Council

General Manager Beverly Scott, Ph.D. Tuesday, May 27 Watertown: Ten MBTA Bus Routes

Net Sched. Route Description Ridership Cost/Passenger Adherence 52 Dedham Mall – Watertown Yard 765 $ 5.69 63%

57 Watertown Yard – Kenmore Station 12,059 $ 1.10 64%

59 Needham Junction – Watertown Square 1,497 $ 3.22 51%

70/70A Cedarwood – Central Square Cambridge (incl. 70A) 7,357 $ 2.50 58%

71 Watertown Square – Harvard Station 5,548 $ 1.72 76% 73 Waverley Square – Harvard Station 6,424 $ 2.10 80%

502 Watertown Yard – Copley Square 1,205 $ 2.06 78%

504 Watertown Yard – Downtown Boston 1,547 $ 4.29 67% 554 Waverley Square – Downtown Boston 658 $ 6.44 53% 558 Auburndale – Downtown Boston 432 $ 5.50 50%

 MBTA also provides The RIDE paratransit service (27,486 trips FYTD beginning in Watertown) Watertown Transportation Recommendations Source: Town of Watertown Comprehensive Plan (April 2014 Draft)

 Encourage enhancement of bus stops and expansion of bus routes to reduce use of the single occupancy vehicle

 Consider creation of a transit sub-committee or a liaison to work with MBTA and others to expand mass transit service

 Work with the MBTA to install more bus shelters and benches at bus stops to encourage ridership Watertown Transportation Recommendations Source: Town of Watertown Comprehensive Plan (April 2014 Draft)

 Install timed signals along Arsenal Street and other major streets to allow traffic to move at a steady rate and to minimize air quality impacts from "stop and go" traffic

 Consider signal prioritization for transit, in coordination with the MBTA

 Develop a bus rapid transit route along Arsenal Street to accommodate anticipated future growth

Potential Short-Term & Medium-Term Improvements

 Transit Signal Priority at select intersections

 Reduce number of on-board cash-fare transactions

 Improved passenger amenities at bus stops - shelters and benches

 Identify and target potential vendors interested in participating in the Retail Sales Terminal Program

Potential Long-Term Improvements

 Dedicated and grade separated bus lanes along select thoroughfares  Reduction in number of bus stops, relocation of all stops to far side of signalized intersections  Parking restrictions during rush hour, and creation of peak-only bus lanes  Extension of routes to other parts of Watertown  Reduction of headways by adding more buses  Re-use and revitalization of Watertown Yard MBTA Challenges and Implications  Challenges  Entire fleet (over 800 vehicles) fully-deployed at peak periods

 Current bus facilities are ~50% over capacity

 Implications  Limited physical capacity to expand bus fleet

 Restricted options to reduce operating headways

 Constrained physical space to perform repairs

 Reduced facility efficiency

MBTA Bus Service: Capacity Needs  At least 80 additional buses to relieve current crowding for existing routes system wide

 Two to three 7-9 acre sites for new bus facilities in the MBTA service area

 Benefits  Reduced crowing  Expand service coverage  Create new routes  Improve customer service The future

of public transportation

in Watertown is our shared future Route 52 Dedham Mall – Watertown Yard Route 59 Needham Junction – Watertown Square

Routes 52 and 59 together have over 2,000 daily riders Route 57 Watertown Yard – Kenmore Station

Route 57 is a Key Route with a terminus in Watertown, but limited parts of the route or its ridership are Watertown-based. Route 70/70A Cedarwood, North Waltham or Watertown Sq. - University Park

Route 70/70A has over 7,000 daily riders Route 71 Watertown Square – Harvard Station

Route 71 was recently upgraded as part of the Key Bus Routes Improvement Program Route 73 Waverley Square - Harvard Station

Route 73 was recently upgraded as part of the Key Bus Routes Improvement Program Route 502 Watertown – Copley Square Route 504 Watertown – Downtown Boston

The 500-series routes in Watertown access the MassPike at Newton Corner in order to connect with Back Bay and Downtown Boston Route 554 Waverley Square – Downtown Boston

The 500-series routes in Watertown access the MassPike at Newton Corner in order to connect with Back Bay and Downtown Boston Route 558 Riverside – Downtown Boston

The 500-series routes in Watertown access the MassPike at Newton Corner in order to connect with Back Bay and Downtown Boston