MBTA NORTHWEST CORRIDOR SERVICE STUDY

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) directed the Northwest Corridor Service Study conducted by a team of planning and engineering firms under contract to the MBTA. The objective of the study was to develop a service plan for bus and trackless trolley service in the area affected by the Red Line extension under construction to Alewife Brook Parkway. The Corridor includes fourteen communities--from Harvard Square to the MBTA District boundary and between State Highway Route 20 on the south and Interstate 93 on the east. Major study activities summarized in this report include the following: Data collection regarding ridechecks on all routes and passenger surveys; Developing and refining a comprehensive statement of study goals and objectives that reflected concerns of local communities and state and regional agencies, as well as developing a supportive evaluation framework; Public participation program that included in the involvement of municipal officials, press, citizen groups, and others in the study process; and 4) Background research and market analysis. Recommendations were based on a year-long study of passenger data, service needs and opportunities, and an analysis of the impacts of alternative service plans. Overall, the recommended service changes are expected to result in a small increase in systemwide ridership, net travel time improvements for riders, and up to $900,000 per year in operating cost savings. In addition, the plan would reduce bus impacts on traffic in Davis and Harvard Squares, and would result in some technical improvements on operations.

• Corporate Authors:

  Cambridge Systematics, Incorporated

  100 Cambridge Park Drive, Suite 400
  Cambridge, MA  United States  02140

  Urban Mass Transportation Administration

  400 7th Street, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Publication Date: 1985-1

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 69 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Bus transit; Feeder buses; Line extensions (Rail transit); Operating costs; Rapid transit; Ridership
• Identifier Terms: Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority; Urban Mass Transportation Act
• Old TRIS Terms: Bus services; Operating strategies; Umta section 9
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00454970
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: UMTA-MA-09-9001-85-1
• Contract Numbers: UMTA-MA-90-9001
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: May 31 1988 12:00AM