MBTA Reworks Bus Route Redesign Plan: What It Means For Stoneham

STONEHAM, MA — The MBTA released a new version of its proposed bus network overhaul on Thursday, adjusting planned changes following months of feedback and some criticism of a previous plan from the agency in May.

This week’s changes were far reaching, touching 85 of 133 total proposed bus routes, including Stoneham’s three MBTA routes through town.

The MBTA is restructuring its bus network with stated goals of increasing system-wide service by 25% while doubling the number of high frequency corridors, where buses arrive within 15 minutes of each other throughout service hours in daily seven-day schedules.

The agency’s initial redesign proposal drew frustration in places, though, trimming service on some bus routes while cutting other routes entirely.

The T said it fielded more than 20,000 comments on its May proposal. Officials said those comments shaped their new plan this week, which aims to improve access to hospitals, senior centers and other destinations. The plan looks to cut walking distances for seniors and other riders particularly in challenging topography areas.

The new plan, officials said, aims to preserve “one-seat” rides to high traffic destinations while operating within the confines of available bus resources.

Here’s what it means for Stoneham:

131 Bus

The MBTA’s new redesign erases a planned 133 route in Stoneham. It will replace that, though, by extending the existing 131 bus route along a similar path out of Melrose and Malden, through Stoneham and into Woburn.

The 131 bus ultimately connects to Malden Center station and the Orange Line. It currently ends service in Melrose.

132 Bus

The MBTA has called for extended service on the 132 route through the heart of Stoneham, with service now set to run until 12 a.m.

The 132 bus runs from Redstone Shopping Center in Stoneham south to Malden Center.

99 Bus

The 99 route is largely unchanged within Stoneham town lines. The route has been rerouted under new plans between Malden Center and Wellington stations, though, to also run with extended service to 1 a.m.

See the MBTA’s full summary of recent bus network redesign changes here.

With a new proposal in hand, MBTA personnel are set to move forward with bus network redesign plans next week with a virtual public meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 6 p.m.

The T will complete an equity analysis of the revised bus network in December, before holding another public meeting to discuss the equity analysis at some point this winter.