MBTA bus lane enforcement and Route 90 changes were items covered at the latest meeting of the city’s Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee. — Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Jordan Pagkalinawan

On Thursday, September 18, the Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee heard updates on the MBTA’s plans for automated bus lane enforcement, as well as proposed changes to service on route 90.

Automated bus lane enforcement

MBTA representative Kirstie Tirandazi gave a presentation on the “Make Way for Buses” program, which would utilize automated cameras to ticket drivers who block bus lanes and stops. The program follows a January law that allows for two types of enforcement: mounted cameras on MBTA and regional transit agency buses, and municipally led wayside cameras at stops and plazas.

Though cameras would capture initial infractions, Tirandazi explained humans would review them for verification before tickets were sent in the mail. First-time violators would be given a warning and a 60-day public education period before fines would be issued. Those fines range from $25 to $125 for stopping in a bus lane and $100 upwards for parking in a bus stop.

The planned rollout will be soft-launched next spring on two Silver Line bus routes, SL4 and SL5, before expanding system-wide, garage by garage, according to Tiranzi. The regulations, which were drafted in April, will be adopted by the MBTA on Wednesday, September 24.

Councilors were enthusiastic over the program’s rollout, and some wondered how other cities handled similar enforcement tactics. Tirandazi noted that Boston was “late” to the game, considering that San Francisco, New York City, Chicago and Washington, DC, had already established similar programs—all of which were a “massive success” and “big revenue generators.” Still, the enforcement program will be revenue-neutral with a larger emphasis on changing drivers’ behavior.

Service planning changes on MBTA Route 90

Following Tirandazi’s presentation, OSPCD Senior Transportation Planner Justin Schreiber led a discussion on service planning considerations for MBTA bus route 90.

Schreiber explained that the route underwent two key changes as part of the Bus Network Redesign Project. Recent changes made this summer, which omitted Cross Street and Tufts Street, received negative feedback from various Somerville-area schools and the East Broadway business district. That led to the MBTA restoring service to Cross Street on August 24 and improving pavement markings on Cross Street at Broadway.

Future goals for Route 90 include offering an accessible Green Line transfer, connecting East Somerville to the rest of the city, and maintaining a connection between Lechmere and Assembly Row on a reasonable frequency.

Schreiber cautioned that the path forward will come with “significant tradeoffs,” highlighting the potential ramifications of consolidating Route 90 with Route 88, both of which run along Highland Avenue, the latter with increased frequency. Combining both routes with service on Washington Street, which is intended to maintain a connection with the Green Line, comes with significant reservations from the city and community. Consolidating service without a Green Line connection is not supported by the MBTA.

Councilors and residents proposed various solutions, including a busway from Joy Street, rerouting Route 90 onto McGrath Highway, and even an elevator at the Gilman Square station. Schreiber said that “nothing is off the table” when considering the future of Route 90, adding that the MBTA will have a larger conversation with the community before additional changes are made.