SILVER LINE DEMO
A better bus experience on the Silver Line from May 24th-June 6th
Don't just imagine Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). Let’s bring parts of the BRT experience to life.
As BostonBRT engages communities about the benefits and trade-offs of Gold Standard BRT, it's important for commuters to experience them firsthand. The Silver Line Demo takes one key feature—all-door boarding—to give commuters an up close and personal look at elements of BRT in action. All-door boarding is possible through off-board fare collection, one of the 5 essential elements that define BRT.
Why Add All-Door Boarding to the Silver Line?
Some savvy research has shown that 66% of delays on the Silver Line SL4 and SL5 buses comes from the time it takes for riders to line up at the front door, pay fares, and get on and off the bus. So why not test what happens at each stop if all doors opened and riders could freely board and exit similar to the subway?
Where and When Can I Try This Out?
For 2 weeks between May 24th and June 6th, BostonBRT has teamed up with MassDOT, the MBTA, The City of Boston and local community organizations to demonstrate all-door boarding on SL4 and SL5 buses on the Washington Street Silver Line between Dudley Square and Downtown. These are the MBTA’s heaviest traveled routes carrying 14,000 Sliver Line riders every day. Chances are that riders will find faster boarding and travel times as well as an overall better bus experience.
How Can I Help?
Look out for BostonBRT’s high-energy street ambassador team roaming the city’s busiest public transit stops to educate riders about the Silver Line Demo and the benefits of BRT. They will also survey riders about their experience during the Demo.
Tired of waiting for the bus? Be part of making the wait time disappear!
Curious about what’s next?
After the 2-week test is over, BostonBRT with its collaborative partners on the Demo will share findings with the Boston public. The results will inform future decision-making and testing of new ideas critical to the implementation of Gold Standard BRT in Massachusetts. BostonBRT continues to work with other communities on new BRT demonstrations. The process is open for applicants until May 31, 2017 through the BostonBRT RFP. The next demonstrations will be announced this summer. Stay tuned!
Other ways to get involved
- The Beauty and the Bus social media contest has been extended through June 7! Keep sharing photos of beautiful bus moments using #BosBRT for a chance to win a Boston weekend “staycation” at Aloft Seaport Boston, Element Seaport Boston, or the Westin Boston Waterfront with $150 visa gift card.
- We announce the winner of the Station Design Competition on May 23, 2017 at an in-person event, StreetTalk: Cities on the Move, hosted by the LivableStreets Alliance. Join us in bringing to life exciting new ideas for BRT stations that are state-of-the-art, create a sense of civic pride, and deliver a transformative world-class transit experience to Bostonians.
Feedback
At the conclusion of this demonstration, BostonBRT, MassDOT, the MBTA, and the City of Boston will share the results with the public, and results will help inform future demonstrations and decision-making. Tell us your feedback:
