Reading MBTA Riders Face Cuts To Commuter Rail, Buses

READING, MA — The MBTA is proposing major service cuts to the Commuter Rail and certain bus lines, but Reading commuters will have a chance to tell transit leaders what they think at a forum on Tuesday, Dec. 1.

On Monday, the MBTA revealed the extent of the cuts, which are being proposed amid a major drop in ridership due to the coronavirus pandemic. Ridership is at about 26 percent of what it was before the pandemic — 330,000 daily riders in October compared to 1.26 million per day in 2019.

"I want to reassure our riders that these service changes are not permanent, do not include any fare changes, and will not take effect immediately," MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak said in a statement Monday. "We are carrying out a comprehensive outreach process and encourage all members of the public to provide comments and feedback, as we want to hear from riders to help us identify and protect the services that support transit-critical populations and communities."

For Commuter Rail service, the MBTA is proposing to stop service at 9 p.m., stop weekend service beginning in January, and reduce the number of peak and midday service trips from 505 to 430.

Both the Haverhill and Lowell lines have proposed service cuts.

In Reading, the 136 bus is slated for elimination, while routes 352 and 354 will be consolidated. Several other lines will likely see reduced service, and bus service will stop at midnight. Click here for a full map.

_{(Map via MBTA)}

The Reading meeting begins at 6 p.m., Dec. 1. It will cover all of Merrimack Valley as well. You can register for the online meeting here. A final vote on the proposed cuts is scheduled for Dec. 7.

See a full list of cuts here.

Will you be affected by the cuts? Let Patch know by emailing alex.newman@patch.com.