Show threadAaronDec 12

much less interesting:
- #ccrta smartdart microtransit expansion on the outer cape
- #mvrta methuen shuttle... (advertised as fixing the fact that the 10 has a one way loop in methuen)
- #mwrta to work with marlborough's weird commuter shuttle
- #mart to work with winchendon community connector to expand to ashburnham
- #nrta to add a random route to patch a hole in their terrible network

#transit

AaronAug 20, 2025

two very minor #rta updates:
- small schedule changes on the #mwrta, including shifts in the 495 connector schedule. none seem significant enough to address its on time performance, but i guess better than nothing
- #gatra is finally going fare free! fixed routes only as is typical https://www.gatra.org/fare-free-fixed-route-and-ada-service-starts-october-1-2025/

#transit

Fare Free Fixed Route and ADA Service starts October 1, 2025 – GATRA

Show threadAaronJun 15, 2025

also randomly the #mwrta is very helpfully restoring its 12:10pm loop on the 7 out of banana lot and back, filling the 2 hour and 20 minute gap

https://www.mwrta.com/application/files/7617/4982/8115/Route_7_Weekday_Highlighted.pdf

#transit

AaronMay 2, 2025
the #mwrta has released the schedule for its upcoming monster "495 connector" route: https://mwrta.com/application/files/2217/4619/7929/Shuttle_Seat_Drop.pdf
south acton to forge park rushes, and hudson to milford midday. frankly quite impressive that it runs midday at all, and with a span of 5:30am to 9:00pm, as well as frequencies of an hour-ish, it is pretty good for an mwrta route. other changes coming may 25 involve small route adjustments on the 5/6/7/10/11, and another new catch connect! serving milford and hopedale, i guess
AaronMar 12, 2025

some smaller #rta news:
- the #mwrta finally held a proper event for their new 29 foot gilligs after being teased in january on jim nee's account: https://twitter.com/MWRTA/status/1899200481764769958
they are *so* stubby but the paint scheme is nice

- the #mvrta announces a few more service bumps coming at the beginning of april: https://mevatransit.com/alerts/changes-effective-sunday-april-6-2025/
more interesting, though, is their roadmap for service increases for the rest of the year. 20 min service would be very cool, and the crosstown is intriguing

MWRTA (@MWRTA) on X

MWRTA is excited to introduce new 29' Gillig buses to our fleet, marking a major step in improving public transit in MetroWest! - We celebrated with a ribbon-cutting at the Blandin Hub in Framingham; joined by Mayor of Framingham, Charlie Sisitsky, Secretary of Transportation,

X (formerly Twitter)
AaronMay 23, 2024
jim nee continues to cook: in addition to officially announcing and releasing the go outdoors routes, several other improvements
- 4n gains a third bus during the pm peak, bumping service to an impressive 20 minute headway from 4 to 8:30pm
- 4s gains a second bus during both peaks, meaning 20-25 headways from 7:30-11:00am and 2:15-6:15pm
- 7 gains a staples area short turning bus during the peaks, in addition to the previously added evening trips
#mwrta
AaronApr 26, 2024

the #mwrta has announced some "go outdoors!" routes for the summer (jun 9 to aug 30)

no schedules released yet, and only rough maps from a twitter post, but these are... interesting. looking at go1 and go2, neither route strays further than a 10 minute walk away from a regular route, and the destinations are... fairly minor, like neighborhood parks, rather than the state parks featured in manchester #mta 's transit to trails program

https://twitter.com/MWRTA/status/1783841296915808590/

MWRTA (@MWRTA) on X

Coming this summer - MWRTA will pilot 3 new summer routes! The #GoOutdoors routes will provide riders access to local outdoor recreational areas, including Waushakum Beach, Farm Pond, Wayland Beach, & more! Find more info below; schedules will be available at…

X (formerly Twitter)
AaronMar 21, 2024

oh also, #gmt is delaying the resumption of fare collection because of "continued technical issues causing a delay in our fare collection app, Ride Ready", just like the #mwrta. just kind of funny that this happened again

(the mwrta, of course, has since resumed fare collection, except it's current free until june 30th as part of the mass legislature's #trytransit program *if and only if* you have a catch card. otherwise, too bad, pay your fare)

https://ridegmt.com/fare-resumption/

Fare Resumption

AaronMar 18, 2024

#mwrta night fixed route schedules released, to take effect april 8th
https://www.mwrta.com/application/files/6117/1079/0831/Night_Schedules_Draft.pdf

4N extended from 7:35pm to 10pm (from blandin)

4S extended from 6:18pm to 9:35pm (from blandin)

7 gets one full trip added, followed by two shuttles between the banana lot and staples area, and then a final full trip to marlborough at 9:40pm that skips a ton of stops for no reason

7C extended from 7:45pm to 9:12pm (from solomon pond mall)

14 extended from 6:40pm to 8:55pm (from milford crossing)

Show threadAaronFeb 9, 2024
also, as the trend has been for the #mwrta, #srta, and #gatra, for the selected routes, Sunday service is identical to Saturday service, although the first two run the same exact routes on both weekend days, while gatra runs just a little less, in contrast to mart's drastically smaller selection.