CONTRARY TO “Quick fixes for MBTA buses: Let buses trip green lights” (Editorial, Jan. 26), the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and the City of Boston have been working together to improve transit travel times on Boston’s streets. In fact, improving transit times has been a priority and has contributed to increased T ridership.
To say that the city “balked” at pursuing bus-priority signalization is incorrect. For example, bus priority is a component of a traffic signal modernization project along Blue Hill Avenue and Warren Street. Bus Route 28 runs here, and service will be improved when the project is completed.
The following is a sample of partnerships between the MBTA and the Boston Transportation Department aimed at enhancing transit service:
■ Silver Line service on Washington and Essex streets has been improved by painting bus lanes and using signal priority.
■ The T’s Key Bus Routes program focuses on high-ridership routes and includes Route 28. Times are reduced by relocating or eliminating stops, and designing curb extensions, queue jump lanes, and priority signals.
■ We are working with Roxbury residents to improve bus access to Dudley Station and to design exclusive bus lanes for Melnea Cass Boulevard.
■ Priority signals are being installed for the Green Line along Commonwealth Avenue.
The city’s traffic management center and the T’s bus operations center are now connected to better coordinate signals. This, coupled with GPS on T buses, sets the stage for further improvements to bus travel in Boston.
Thomas J. Tinlin
Commissioner
Transportation Department
Beverly Scott
General manager, MBTA
Boston
