Biking in Boston

[BOS2BON]

The Bluebike expansion is a massive win. Not just new stations, but for the first time stations that *charge the e-bikes*. Plus way more bikes, both electric and standard.

As for the other *half* of the grant [redacted because MAPC signs my paychecks]
.

Are those shuttles free to use?

 

[Delvin4519]

21.6m Grant To Fund Bluebike Expansion, New Transit Shuttles, Other Congestion Relief Solutions In Metro Boston – MAPC

A major new federal grant designed to help relieve congestion across Greater Boston will fund scores of new Bluebikes stations and add several new shuttle routes to supplement MBTA service throughout the city.

www.mapc.org

The new shuttle network will expand public transit in key Boston neighborhoods, including the Seaport, Charlestown, and Allston-Brighton

The shuttles feel like a waste. 30 minute headways for "the last mile in a city neighborhood" is basically useless for spontaneous trips. They don't appear on system maps and so would be hard for new riders to find. Why not just fund more frequency on the 64, 86, and 93 instead of these half hourly shuttles? That way the 64 and 86 can run every 15 minutes and actually be useful to use.

If we want transit to be useful they ought to create a single unified network, not add more fragmentation and complexity to the city.

BlueBikes is a win, though.

 

[KCasiglio]

Are those shuttles free to use?

The project narrative states:

All proposed transit services will be free for community members who qualify as transit-dependent (e.g., low income, older adults, experiencing a disability)

Which seems to imply that there will be a cost, though it is not mentioned what it will be or how it will be collected.

Of note that I did not realize until now, the app part of the project will have integrated payments. So you can plan your trip and pay through the app, presumably tapping your phone to redeem the purchased rides.