Subway Frequency Improvements This Spring
Beginning April 6, frequency and reliability improvements are planned on the Red, Orange, Blue, and Green lines. Shorter four-car Red Line trains will also continue to be added to the schedule this spring during weekday rush hour. More information is available at mbta.com/ServiceChanges.
Bus Service Improvements
Beginning April 6, many bus routes are shifting trip times to improve service frequency and reliability. Riders are encouraged to use the MBTA’s Trip Planner to plan their trips and check out the full list of upcoming bus service changes at mbta.com/ServiceChanges.
Notable frequency increases this spring include Bus Routes 57 and 77:
Increased Frequency for Route 57: Watertown Yard – Kenmore Station
Service frequency will improve from every 15-20 minutes to every 10 minutes for Route 57 riders in Newton and Watertown next month during weekday morning and evening rush hour periods. The route will also be simplified to create a more consistent service pattern and more consistent trip spacing between Oak Square and Kenmore.
This increase in service supports the MBTA’s collaboration with the City of Boston on the future Route 57 Transit Priority Corridor, which will use strategies like dedicated bus lanes and transit signal priority to help buses move more efficiently. Data shows these lanes and signals will improve travel times for more than 8,500 daily riders.
Increased Frequency for Route 77: Arlington Heights – Harvard Station
Route 77 will also become more frequent beginning April 6. Route 77 will operate every 10 minutes or better during rush hour periods beginning this spring, an increase from the current 15-20 minutes on weekdays. On Saturdays, frequencies will improve to every 12-14 minutes from every 20 minutes. Sunday service will be upgraded from every 20-25 minutes to every 15 minutes or better, except during early morning and late-night service hours.
“Reliable and frequent MBTA service is essential for thousands of Cambridge residents and employees who rely on public transit daily,” said Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang. “These service enhancements will make a real difference, and we’re grateful to the MBTA for their continued focus on improving transit access. This progress supports Cambridge’s broader efforts to reduce congestion and encourage sustainable transportation across Greater Boston.”
This investment in increased service on Route 77 aligns with the City of Cambridge’s commitment to existing bus lanes on Massachusetts Avenue north of Porter Square and into Arlington, which helps to keep bus riders moving safely and reliably. These lanes have proven to save more than 4,300 daily riders three to four minutes each way, which amplifies the MBTA’s investment in increased service.
These frequency improvements for Routes 57 and 77 are another step as part of Bus Network Redesign, the MBTA’s strategy to better align the bus network with today’s travel patterns and offer more frequent bus service in busy neighborhoods. The MBTA plans for these routes to become Frequent Bus Routes with service every 15 minutes or better all day, every day in the future.
Accounting for Increased Travel Times
Rising traffic congestion in the Boston area affects bus operations by increasing the travel time for each trip, which can result in buses running behind schedule. To address this challenge, the MBTA will allocate more buses and operators to several routes that have experienced rising traffic congestion: Routes 1, 22, 23, 32, 66, 111, and SL4. These additional resources aim to improve reliability and will allow these routes to meet their existing schedules amidst increased travel delays. More than half of the additional bus operators available this spring will be dedicated to addressing traffic congestion on these routes. These changes do not expand service or increase frequencies beyond the existing schedule.
More information on the updated schedules for all affected bus routes are available at mbta.com/ServiceChanges.
Spring 2025 Commuter Rail Schedules
Passengers can find current spring 2025 Commuter Rail schedules, which went into effect on March 24, at mbta.com/ServiceChanges and at mbta.com/CommuterRail.