Boston has announced a backtrack on its bus lane on Boylston Street, with Mayor Michelle Wu citing that it "has not functioned as intended to justify the space allocation." The decision comes less than a year after the lane was made permanent, a move which had been opposed by local groups such as the Back Bay Association, as noted by WCVB. Wu, who is facing reelection challenges, has pointed to the bus lane's usage issues, with vehicles often using it for driving and parking, as reasons behind its removal.
The installation of this bus lane followed the 2022 Orange Line shutdown, intended as a temporary measure to facilitate quicker bus travel; however, it was later deemed beneficial for shuttle buses by the MBTA and consequently made permanent in summer, as part of the city's bike lane project, "the city made the lane a permanent part of its Boylston Street bike lane project," Mayor Wu said in a letter obtained by the Boston Globe. But observational analysis and feedback from community members have highlighted several issues since this decision leading to criticisms and the eventual conclusion that the allocated space is not serving its intended purpose.
In an interview with GBH, reported by the Boston Globe, Wu clarified that while the bicycle lane on Boylston Street remains a fixture, the city has plans to "move towards reallocating some of the space for the needs that are specific to this street." Additionally, an advisory group formation is in the works, promising a review of roadways with an eye towards improving aesthetics and functionality to match neighborhood characters. She also stated, "We will also ramp up enforcement to address traffic caused by ongoing double-parking related to food delivery pickups and construction, especially in the block between Dartmouth and Clarendon," in efforts to improve the overall flow on Boylston Street.
Support for the reversal has been voiced by Meg Mainzer-Cohen, president of the Back Bay Association, who relays that, "We think it's going to be a significant improvement for the functionality of Boylston Street," Mainzer-Cohen told the Boston Globe, with her organization having raised concerns over pedestrian and traffic challenges posed by the original plan. The city is engaging in a more collaborative effort with the Back Bay Association and has recognized the necessity for changes along Boylston Street. Michael Brohel, appointed to spearhead the roadway changes review, is expected to return with recommendations within a 30-day frame, as Wu has set out an aggressive timeline for evaluating and potentially redesigning city infrastructure.
While the MBTA has not directly commented on the bus lane removal, the agency expressed its commitment to enhancing services and the commutes of Boston riders, affirming the value of its partnership with the city in upgrades to public transit. The ongoing issue reflects a broader ambition by the city to review roadway changes from as far back as Mayor Tom Menino's tenure, including the assessment of temporary bike lanes that Wu described as eyesores. It is hoped by the administration that this comprehensive review will yield safer, more practical, and aesthetic solutions suitable for Boston's evolving transportation landscape.
