MBTA To Cut Bus Services In Waltham Due To Labor Shortage

WALTHAM, MA — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) will cut bus services in Waltham this winter due to a nationwide shortage of drivers, it announced Tuesday.

Starting Sunday, December, 19, about one in every 20 scheduled bus trips will be dropped, said the MBTA. This will include routes 70 and 505, which transport riders to and from Waltham.

"Like other transit systems across the country, the MBTA is experiencing significant challenges in attracting the workforce needed to meet demands for service," said MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak in a statement. "These service changes are not a cost-control measure. The MBTA is budgeted for a full level of service, and ready to add back services when we have hired and trained new bus and train operators."

The MBTA will also make changes to the Mattapan Line, increasing off-peak service frequency from every 23 minutes to every 13 minutes on weekend nights and decreasing services during peak weekday periods. There will be no changes in service frequency on the Red, Orange, Blue, and Green Lines.

MBTA officials said they are continuing to aggressively hire new employees, with a particular need for bus drivers. To view open positions, click here. More information on insurance and other benefits can be found here.