Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Boston

Boston Fixed Its Most Frustrating Street for Bus Riders, But Just for a Month

For the last month, one of Boston's most important and most frustrating bus corridors got a big upgrade.

Each weekday, half a dozen bus routes carrying 19,000 riders travel the 1.2-mile stretch of Washington Street to the Forest Hill Orange Line Station. Most people on the street at rush hour are in a bus. But the commute can be terribly slow and unpredictable, because the buses don't have priority.

Council Member Michelle Wu, who commutes daily by bus along the route with her kids, says sometimes it takes half an hour just to go a mile.

That changed during a one-month pilot, when the city converted a parking lane on Washington Street into a bus lane during the morning rush hour. Cyclists were also allowed to use the lane.

Once the city cordoned off the lane for buses using orange cones, the improvement was noticeable immediately. Wu said the makeshift bus lane shaved the trip on Washington Street down to 10 minutes or less.

"Everybody’s been thrilled at what a difference it’s made," Wu told Streetsblog, "whether it’s on the bus or driving along side or on a bike."

Michele Wu
Council Member Michele Wu
false

But instead of keeping the temporary bus improvement in place while evaluating its impact, the city let Washington Street go "back to gridlock" Monday, reports the Boston community news site Universal Hub.

Wu was disppointed. "My initial hope was that the pilot would roll right into a permanent [bus lane]," she said. "I have not heard a single complaint from residents about how this worked until today when the pilot ended."

It's up to Mayor Marty Walsh to make the bus lane permanent. Walsh, for his part, has made speeding up bus service a priority in his upcoming budget cycle.

The cost of designating a permanent bus lane would be relatively small. But by letting the pilot expire, said Andrew McFarland of the local advocacy organization LivableStreets Alliance, "the city [is] actually electing to make more congestion for their residents."

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

U.S. DOT Sec. Sean Duffy Blackmails MTA to End Congestion Pricing

The other shoe has dropped ... and the new deadline is May 21 or Sean Duffy will take his money bag and go home.

April 21, 2025

EXCLUSIVE: Early Trump Memos Undermine Sean Duffy’s Argument Against Congestion Pricing

The feds did not question New York State's approach to congestion pricing in the first Trump administration, memos show.

April 21, 2025

Deep Dive: How Will Sean Duffy Fix Penn Station?

The Transportation Secretary has taken over the biggest transportation planning mess in North America. First, he has to realize that this job is more than just cosmetic surgery.

April 21, 2025

Monday’s Headlines: Randy Lewis-Mastro Edition

First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro is Eric Adams's latest point-man for handicapping Eric Adams's agenda. Plus more news.

April 21, 2025

Staten Islanders Fight To Keep Park Car-free

Politicians believe cars will make the park safer, but the opposite is the case.

April 18, 2025
See all posts