MASSACHUSETTS — The MBTA on Monday announced plans for deep service cuts across all modes of public transportation to help shore up a $579 million budget shortfall.
The proposals are not yet final. The first public hearing is Tuesday night and more are scheduled through November. A final vote is scheduled for Dec. 7.
The cuts, if approved, are not permanent — but it could be several years before service is restored.
Below are the proposed changes:
Bus
Reduce frequency on essential routes by 5 percent on average, with some routes seeing no change and others up to a 30 percent reduction.
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Reduce frequency on nonessential routes by 20 percent on average.
Fourteen routes will be consolidated: 62/76, 84/78, 88/90 (with Green Line Extension), 214/216, 352/354, 501/503, 502/504.
Five routes will be shortened: 230, 553, 554, 556, 558.
Twenty-five routes will be eliminated: 18, 43, 52, 55, 68, 72, 79, 80 (with Green Line Extension), 131, 136, 170, 212, 221, 325, 326, 351, 428, 434, 451, 456, 465, 505, 710, 714, 716.
Commuter rail
Six commuter rail stations will be closed:
- Cedar Park in Melrose on the Haverhill Line
- Hastings in Weston on the Fitchburg Line
- Plimptonville in Walpole on the Franklin Line
- Plymouth in Plymouth on the Plymouth Line
- Prides Crossing in Beverly on the Rockport Line
- Silver Hill in Weston on the Fitchburg Line
Service will end at 9 p.m. on weekdays, four hours earlier than its current last rides. Weekend service will be eliminated altogether.
The fleet will be reduced by more than 100 trains to 430.
Rapid transit
Service will end at midnight, one hour earlier than its current last rides.
Train frequency will be reduced by 20 percent across all lines, but may vary.
The Green Line’s E Branch service will stop at Cleveland Circle.
Ferry
All ferry service would be eliminated.
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