Regarding the MBTA Better Bus Project
Dear Editor,
The following letter was sent to the Better Bus Project, Steve Poftak (MBTA), James Tesler (MassDOT), as well as, Winthrop Town Manager Anthony Marino, State Senator Lydia Edwards, State Representative Jeffrey Turco, Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Governor Karen Polito, Secretary of Transportation Stephanie Pollack, Assistant Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Katherine Clark, U.S. Senator Edward Markey, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren
Thank you for the opportunity to respond to the proposed changes envisioned by the MBTA’s Better Bus Project. We will gladly take this opportunity to comment on your proposed network redesign. This letter’s primary focus is addressing the massive changes proposed for Winthrop through the Bus Network Redesign and will also highlight what we see from a broader perspective of mobility regarding our views of the MBTA and MassDOT as related to Winthrop. To best serve the people of the Commonwealth and the residents of Winthrop, we would encourage the various parties within MASSDOT and MBTA to coordinate their activities to facilitate changes in how these two governmental entities work within our community.
The bus network redesign uses an analysis that is divorced from reality. Several areas are pointedly disadvantaged by the new routes – most notably the Point Shirley neighborhood. Other serious issues with the proposed redesign include the disconnect of service to our Center Business District, the elimination of a stop that provides access to one of our most densely populated areas, as well as potential disruption to already strained roadway traffic. From the proposed replacement of the 712/713 routes with the 119/120 routes, Winthrop’s rider needs are ignored for the benefit of ‘knitting together’ the communities of Revere’s Beachmont area and East Boston – using Winthrop as a mechanism to connect larger transportation hubs while undeniably disadvantaging our residents cannot – and will not – be accepted by this Council. Below is our commentary on the proposed network changes.
Point Shirley Service
Discontinuing service to Point Shirley would require up to a 2 mile walk between the proposed public transit stop and a rider’s destination. It is wholly unacceptable to expect residents and visitors to Winthrop to do this simply to access transit options currently existing within a half mile walk. This is a challenge in the best of circumstances, in fair weather, with mobility issues, strollers, or other baggage. Residents utilize bus service to access work, shopping, doctors’ appointments, and recreation both in Winthrop and beyond – requiring a 2 mile walk to do so is unacceptable. This redesign is quite literally moving progress backwards for public transit in Winthrop.
Point Shirley is also home to the Winthrop Ferry & Public Landing, Yirrell Beach, and the Deer Island Public Access Area/MWRA Facility, all of which are heavily accessed by public transit and the current bus routes. It is objectionable to lose public transit access to these locations.
Bus service to Point Shirley MUST remain in place. Tangentially related and highly dependent on retained bus service to Point Shirley, the MWRA should be required to submit to MassDOT a program that cuts vehicle traffic to the Plant by 20% within the next three years. This would have both safety and environmental benefits to Winthrop.
Diminished Level of Service Proposed
The two current bus routes (712/713) must be retained in their entirety or the MBTA must present an opportunity for a greater level of service than currently exists. The bus routes should facilitate travel to our Center Business District, as well as allow for other intra-town trips. With the redesigned routes, it overly complicates access to our Center Business District (CBD) from stops along the 120 route, requiring a bus change to the 119. With a town that is barely greater than 1 square mile, it is nearly inconceivable to require a change in bus line to reach the center of town as well as other areas accessible on the two proposed bus routes.
We welcome and want bus service from Winthrop to Revere including the proposed Suffolk Downs development and Beachmont station, however, this service must be additive to the 2019 baseline level of service as provided by the 712/713 routes as they presently exist.
The proposed network eliminates the bus stop at the intersection of Governor’s Drive and Revere Street – a highly trafficked stop. This bus stop sits at the entrance of Winthrop’s largest housing complex, Governor’s Park. Governor’s Park hosts 393 residential units, is 60% owner occupied and ranges between 2 and 10% Section 8 housing. This complex is home to a diverse population, of which many residents rely heavily on public transit. While stops for both the 119 and 120 bus routes are a short distance from the entrance of Governor’s Park, the residential buildings continue back into the complex for an additional quarter mile, creating a significant walk to bus service for any residents in the farthest buildings. This bus stop must remain operational.
Traffic Impacts
The traffic in Winthrop, specifically during peak commuting times, is an ongoing issue for residents. Given that there are only two roads in or out of Winthrop, we are eager to encourage public transit and minimize car traffic. We implore the MBTA to re-examine both current and proposed bus stops in order to implement measures that move buses more efficiently and minimize impact to other drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. Considering the Suffolk Downs construction and habitation that are on the horizon, now is the time to ensure we are best utilizing public transit to maximize efficiency before the traffic conditions worsen. It is not uncommon for buses in Winthrop to require drivers to maneuver at intersections to give the bus enough space to turn – the MBTA should examine current and proposed bus routes and stops to ensure safe maneuverability of buses to enhance traffic and pedestrian safety.
The Bus Network Redesign is a significant portion, but not the entirety, of Winthrop’s public transit concerns. We are in dire need of action by the MBTA and MASSDOT to avoid a transportation crisis. Notably, continuation and financial support of our ferry service, as well as an increased focus on the blue-to-red line connector on the T.
As an MBTA community, while we are grateful for the access to public transit, it is not without cost. We incur additional traffic concerns from the buses, wear on our aging infrastructure, and sadly, several severe public health and safety incidents involving MBTA buses. The proposed Bus Network Redesign utilizes Winthrop to ‘knit together’ the communities of Revere and East Boston, but with flagrant disregard for the people of our own community. We appeal to MBTA to make a commitment to treating Winthrop fairly, and not as a ‘sacrificial’ community, as we have seen in our treatment by the MWRA and MassPort.
The Winthrop Town Council requests that a representative of the MBTA come before the council to discuss the contents of this letter as well as next steps to ensuring Winthrop is protected throughout this project. Please contact Denise Quist, Town Clerk, at [email protected] to schedule a meeting as soon as possible.
In conclusion, we see a mobility crisis on the horizon for Winthrop. This affects our quality of life, our property values, safety on our streets, and our mental health. We need a committed partner that understands the urgency of this moment. We hereby make ourselves available to work collaboratively to achieve the goals we have set forward in this letter.
Sincerely,
James Letterie, Town Council President
Stephen Ruggiero, Town Council Vice President, Precinct 6
Tracey Honan,
Councilor at Large
Robert DeMarco,
Councilor at Large
Richard Fucillo,
Councilor, Precinct 1
John Munson,
Councilor, Precinct 2
Hannah Belcher,
Councilor, Precinct 3
Barbara Flockhart, Councilor, Precinct 4
Joseph Aiello,
Councilor, Precinct 5