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 .