Fenway Civic Association

Dear Members,

Please see the below from Fenway CDC and the #55 coalition – your voice needed by midnight tonight.

Hi all, 

Pick up the phone today and make a call!! Super easy!! Will take like 2 minutes!! 

I hope you all are doing well today! I wanted to reach out because there is an upcoming MBTA Board of directors meeting on Thursday 26th  at 10 am. Here is more info. 

During the meeting, the Board will discuss the Bus Network Redesign Process and an Advisory Report. The meeting will begin by hearing voicemails submitted out loud. We want the board to know that the 55 is still inaccessible and needs more attention. Voice mail comments are being prioritized as there is uncertainty that written comments will be read before the meeting. 

Please leave a message for the MBTA at 617-222-3337 outlining the necessity of implementing the 55 bus with the extended hours as approved through the Bus Network Redesign Process. Other points you may mention can include: 

• The MBTA’s transparency with the Bus Network Redesign Process community process has not been equitable and more needs to be done 
• 2.5 months of public surveys collected by the MBTA after the release of the first map and 20,000 responses (5000-7000 of them collected by community-based groups and submitted to the MBTA ). These show the impact of the proposed changes. 
• Board approval of the second draft without an official public comment period
• The majority of the revisions done to the second draft reverted to current routes anyway
• Numerous route changes will lead to hidden fare increases with new transfers

Here is an example comment: 

“As a resident of the Boston area, I wanted to comment on the BNRD and how the process has not been transparent or clear with residents. So many people are completely unaware of these changes and the way they will be impacted. The MBTA must be more transparent about its timelines and implementation. Specifically with the 55 bus in the Fenway. The bus’s service hours are truly inaccessible as they are now.”

In your submission, it helps to mention the agenda item ( 11: Amendment to the BNRD) and then state your comment.

Thank you so much for your help on this! I’ve also attached a flyer. Feel free to share widely!