Project Ideas

Hundreds of transit improvement project ideas have been suggested by MBTA customers, staff, and interested parties. These ideas are divided into three categories:

1. System expansion projects,
2. Service enhancement projects,
3. System preservation projects.

The first category describes projects that would bring a particular mode of transit service to a location that isn't currently being served by that mode. This could include an extension of the Fitchburg Line to Athol, but could also include conversion of a bus route to light rail.

The second category describes projects that improve the quality of service provided on an existing line or enhance capacity. Parking expansions are included in this category, as are efforts to double-track commuter rail lines, implement automatic vehicle location systems for buses, etc. Accessibility projects also fall in this category.

The third category describes projects needed to maintain the system in a state of good repair. These don't necessarily expand capacity, or make services available to new people. They just make sure existing services are in good working order.
In mid 2002, the MBTA completed the process of screening ideas that fall into the system expansion and service enhancements category to determine which ideas would undergo more in depth analysis and receive priority rankings as part of the Program for Mass Transportation. The screened project listings may be viewed by clicking on the links below.

View Screened list of system expansion projects for further analysis
View Screened list of service enhancement projects for further analysis

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View complete universe of project ideas