MBTA Service Changes with the Most Impact on Watertown
The MBTA Forging-Ahead service cuts were approved by the MBTA's Fiscal Management and Control Board (FMCB) on December 14, 2020. These reductions are being made based on an overall 80% drop in ridership due to the pandemic. Although these cuts are not as severe as originally proposed by the MBTA in early November, they are significant and will impact the Watertown commuter community. According to the MBTA, by focusing on the reductions to service frequency, this allows for better preparation to increase service when ridership returns, after the widespread vaccine distribution.
Below are the service changes that will have the most impact on Watertown, MA.
The full list of changes, system-wide, can be found at https://www.mbta.com/forging-ahead
There will be no suspension on any active service routes in Watertown.
Watertown bus routes with 20% reduction in frequency effective Spring 2021:
57 – Watertown Square – Harvard Station
59 – Watertown Square via Needham St - Needham Junction via Needham St
70 – Market Place Drive or Waltham Center – University Park
71 – Watertown Square – Harvard Station
Watertown bus routes with 5% reduction in frequency effective Spring 2021:
554 – Waverly Square – Newton Corner
558 – Riverside Station – Newton Corner
Watertown bus routes to be consolidated effective March 2021:
Consolidate bus routes 502 to 504 – Watertown Via Copley and Newton Corner Express
Subway – Changes effective March 2021:
Frequency will be reduced by 20% on the Red, Green and Orange Line. This means that during peak travel, the wait time between trains will increase to 5 ½ minutes from the current 4 ½ minutes. Frequency on the Blue Line will be reduced by 5%.
Commuter Rail – Changes effective January 2021:
Service on all Commuter Rail Lines will be reduced. On weekdays, service will end at 9pm. In January, weekend service will be suspended for the Fitchburg Line serving Belmont and the Lowell Line serving West Medford. Five Stations (non in the greater Boston area) will close due to low ridership and available alternatives.
The Ferry – Changes effective January 2021:
Charlestown service will be suspended. Direct service Boston – Hingham will be suspended. Hingham/Hull service will be reduced.
The Ride – Changes effective Spring 2021:
Some trips will need to be booked 40 minutes ahead of time vs. the current 30 minutes. In addition, some RIDE trips may become premium trips, though the RIDE service boundaries would not change, and the premium service hours will be adjusted to match Commuter Rail hours of operation.
Use eCommuter.org to Search for Your Best Transportation Options
All Watertown TMA commuters can use Commute Match on eCommuter to explore all their transportation options in one place. Commute Match is a flexible tool that helps you to design a commute that best meets your needs and schedule. Find others who live and work nearby that also want to share the ride to work.
Use Commute Match to search for:
Carpool partners
Vanpool partners
Nearby park-n-rides
Bike route planning
Bluebike locations
Bike buddies
Public transit trip planning