Arlington Bus Pilot Saved Riders Up To 10 Minutes

ARLINGTON, MA — Bus riders in Arlington had shorter and more dependable commutes during a pilot program that tested bus rapid transit elements, according to data presented before the Fiscal and Management Control Board Monday. The pilot ran in late 2018 and resulted in a permanent bus lane being implemented on Massachusetts Avenue during the morning commute.

According to data from the Barr Foundation, Institute for Transportation and Development Policy and Stantec, bus riders in Arlington saved up to 10 minutes on their commute. Median trips through the pilot area were 41 percent faster from 7-8 a.m. and 53 percent faster from 8-9 a.m., according to the data.

Riders were more certain about the length of their daily commute and bus arrival time. The data showed buses traveling in the direction of peak traffic operated more reliably, with 64 percent less variance in Arlington.

"I’m pleased to see the data confirms what our customers are saying: that these improvements directly results in better performance and greater reliability of our bus routes," MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak said in a statement. "Forming these partnerships with cities and towns, with support from BostonBRT, is a key element in our strategy to deliver improved service. I want to thank the communities we serve for their leadership on this issue, and I look forward to expanding our growing network of bus infrastructure improvements."

Arlington's pilot program ran from Oct. 9 to Nov. 9, 2018 on the eastbound side of Mass. Ave. between Lake Street and Alewife Brook Parkway for bus routes 77, 79 and 350. It relocated the bus stop to the far side of the Mass. Ave. and Lake Street intersection; implemented transit signal priority and a queue jump at the same intersection; the repurposing of parking spaces from 6-9 a.m. and traffic signal and lane changes at the intersection of Mass. Ave. and Alewife Brook Parkway.

The select board in March unanimously approved implementing a permanent bus lane to run eastbound along Mass. Ave. between Varnum Street and Alewife Brook Parkway, serving routes 77, 79, and 350 from 6-9 a.m. on weekdays.