City Of Boston: Pilot Program Offering Free Fares On Route 28 For Three Months This Fall

Press release from the City of Boston:

July 27, 2021

Route 28 is one of the MBTA’s highest ridership bus routes both prior and during the COVID-19 pandemic, carrying approximately 12,880 riders every weekday pre-pandemic. Ridership is generally steady throughout the day compared to most other routes that see low off-peak ridership. The route runs from Mattapan Square to Ruggles Station by way of Nubian Square and Roxbury Crossing. It serves as a vital connection for the residents of Mattapan, Roxbury and Dorchester to the MBTA’s key bus, subway and commuter rail networks. The neighborhoods are home to families that pay a higher percentage of their household income on transportation compared to most other neighborhoods. 

The Boston Transportation Department and the MBTA will jointly manage the pilot program, making any adjustments as necessary. To evaluate the pilot, the agencies will be collecting operational data and conducting rider surveys. Key metrics relative to the goals of the initiative include travel time impacts, on-time reliability, rider experience, and ridership. 

This press release was produced by the City of Boston. The views expressed here are the author’s own.