Just a note on an item on Will Brownsberger’s Web page about upcoming hearings the MBTA will hold to discuss possible service cuts as that agency looks to balance its books. The proposed reductions and services and the elimination of some bus routes could hit Belmont. Among the proposed cuts in services that would impact Belmont:
- Elimination of the 78 bus to Arlmont
- Elimination of the 72 bus along Huron Ave. (which at times operates as the 72/75 to Belmont Center)
- Reducation of all weekday evening bus service by 50%
- Reducction of all weekened bus service by 50%
- Reduction of midday weekday subway service by 50%
The 78 Bus Route could be eliminated
Will points out that the reductions in service would be in lieu of proposed 20 percent fare hikes for bus and rail service. The T will be holding hearings to discuss proposed fare hikes or service reductions in the area on the following dates and locations:
The 72 Bus route could be eliminated
- Monday, August 10 Gardner Auditorium-State House, 24 Beacon Street, Boston, 4:00-7:00 P.M.
- Thursday, August 13, Somerville High School Auditorium, 81 Highland Ave., Somerville, 5:30-7:30 P.M.
- Thursday, August 27, State Transportation Building 10 Park Plaza, Boston, 5:30-7:30 P.M.
Check out Will’s site for more options as well as a link to more info on the proposed cuts.
This sounds like great news. We can save the taxpayer money, save the environment from all the exhaust created by half empty buses, reduce traffic jams and encourage more people to bike. What's not to like about this…
I'm surprised that they don't seem to have any hearings scheduled in the locations that will lose the service … oh, actually, I'm not that surprised at all …
The 78 bus is always packed at rush hour. Getting rid of it would be pretty awful for a lot of people.
Wondering… If the MBTA cuts service and a route through Belmont does it correlate into a reduced assessment for Belmont and how much might the Town save? Any MBTA experts out there?
I recall but can't find an article that said Arlington's MBTA assessment went up last year because of added service.
The elimination of the Waverley commuter train stop is also proposed. The town should not let this happen. Waverley station serves commuters from Belmont, Watertown, and Waltham. Belmont has three affordable housing developments within walking distance to this station. Waverley station is the perfect example of what smart growth, transit oriented stations should be: it is located in a heavily populated area, serves multiple towns, and serves affordable housing initiatives. Please contact Will Brownsberger, Steve Tolman and the Belmont town selectman and encourage them to keep Waverley station open. This is an important asset to Belmont and surrounding towns.
willbrownsberger@gmail.com
Steven.Tolman@state.ma.us
selectmen@town.belmont.ma.us
jszklut@town.belmont.ma.us (Belmont's planning and economic development manager)
I thought the long term plan was to eliminate the Belmont Center stop, which is not graded/wheelchair accessible and is on a banked curve (making it really really hard for even able bodied folks to open the car doors without crushing themselves or others). That would mean consolidating in Waverly — again: my understanding was that the vacant car dealership on Pleasant St. was being eyed as a new stop which would be at grade with parking (and retail) available….Any news on what the status of that plan is?
http://www.dailynewstribune.com/homepage/x17331…
That would be the plan. But is the MBTA has its own agenda and would like to reduce the commute time for the people living in east overshoe. The commute time from Fitchburg to Boston is approx 1hr 20mins. The MBTA would like that reduced to under 1 hour. Sounds nice, but please don't do it at the Waverley/Belmont commuter's expense. These commuters pay more than their fair share to travel a whopping 8 miles into Boston (5 or 6 miles as the crow flies). Funding is allocated for the study. Let it move ahead and if consolidation and a new station is recommended, I would be all for it… but not an outright closure at this point.
Perhaps, Jay Szklut can update us on this plan.
Wondering… If the MBTA cuts service and a route through Belmont does it correlate into a reduced assessment for Belmont and how much might the Town save? Any MBTA experts out there?
I recall but can't find an article that said Arlington's MBTA assessment went up last year because of added service.
The elimination of the Waverley commuter train stop is also proposed. The town should not let this happen. Waverley station serves commuters from Belmont, Watertown, and Waltham. Belmont has three affordable housing developments within walking distance to this station. Waverley station is the perfect example of what smart growth, transit oriented stations should be: it is located in a heavily populated area, serves multiple towns, and serves affordable housing initiatives. Please contact Will Brownsberger, Steve Tolman and the Belmont town selectman and encourage them to keep Waverley station open. This is an important asset to Belmont and surrounding towns.
willbrownsberger@gmail.com
Steven.Tolman@state.ma.us
selectmen@town.belmont.ma.us
jszklut@town.belmont.ma.us (Belmont's planning and economic development manager)
I thought the long term plan was to eliminate the Belmont Center stop, which is not graded/wheelchair accessible and is on a banked curve (making it really really hard for even able bodied folks to open the car doors without crushing themselves or others). That would mean consolidating in Waverly — again: my understanding was that the vacant car dealership on Pleasant St. was being eyed as a new stop which would be at grade with parking (and retail) available….Any news on what the status of that plan is?
http://www.dailynewstribune.com/homepage/x17331…
That would be the plan. But is the MBTA has its own agenda and would like to reduce the commute time for the people living in east overshoe. The commute time from Fitchburg to Boston is approx 1hr 20mins. The MBTA would like that reduced to under 1 hour. Sounds nice, but please don't do it at the Waverley/Belmont commuter's expense. These commuters pay more than their fair share to travel a whopping 8 miles into Boston (5 or 6 miles as the crow flies). Funding is allocated for the study. Let it move ahead and if consolidation and a new station is recommended, I would be all for it… but not an outright closure at this point.
Perhaps, Jay Szklut can update us on this plan.
Wondering… If the MBTA cuts service and a route through Belmont does it correlate into a reduced assessment for Belmont and how much might the Town save? Any MBTA experts out there?
I recall but can't find an article that said Arlington's MBTA assessment went up last year because of added service.
The elimination of the Waverley commuter train stop is also proposed. The town should not let this happen. Waverley station serves commuters from Belmont, Watertown, and Waltham. Belmont has three affordable housing developments within walking distance to this station. Waverley station is the perfect example of what smart growth, transit oriented stations should be: it is located in a heavily populated area, serves multiple towns, and serves affordable housing initiatives. Please contact Will Brownsberger, Steve Tolman and the Belmont town selectman and encourage them to keep Waverley station open. This is an important asset to Belmont and surrounding towns.
willbrownsberger@gmail.com
Steven.Tolman@state.ma.us
selectmen@town.belmont.ma.us
jszklut@town.belmont.ma.us (Belmont's planning and economic development manager)
I thought the long term plan was to eliminate the Belmont Center stop, which is not graded/wheelchair accessible and is on a banked curve (making it really really hard for even able bodied folks to open the car doors without crushing themselves or others). That would mean consolidating in Waverly — again: my understanding was that the vacant car dealership on Pleasant St. was being eyed as a new stop which would be at grade with parking (and retail) available….Any news on what the status of that plan is?
http://www.dailynewstribune.com/homepage/x17331…
That would be the plan. But is the MBTA has its own agenda and would like to reduce the commute time for the people living in east overshoe. The commute time from Fitchburg to Boston is approx 1hr 20mins. The MBTA would like that reduced to under 1 hour. Sounds nice, but please don't do it at the Waverley/Belmont commuter's expense. These commuters pay more than their fair share to travel a whopping 8 miles into Boston (5 or 6 miles as the crow flies). Funding is allocated for the study. Let it move ahead and if consolidation and a new station is recommended, I would be all for it… but not an outright closure at this point.
Perhaps, Jay Szklut can update us on this plan.