Does Boston Have a Public Transportation Problem?

With lines being shut down, delays, and overall safety issues, can the MBTA system be salvaged?

by Grace Hawkins | Design by Emma Hill

When living in Boston, the MBTA is a daily part of everyone’s lives. Whether it be the T, the various bus lines, or the commuter rail, they are all essential to getting around the city. But, the glaring issues that plague the system have become more apparent in recent months.

In August 2022, the entire Orange Line, which averages 101,000 riders per day according to the MBTA, shut down for a month. Safety hazards and maintenance caused riders to seek alternate methods, like buses or bikes.

Recently, it was revealed that the Green Line moved so slowly in some spots, that it is possible to be outrun, moving at speeds of 3 miles per hour near Fenway Station on the Riverside Branch. These slow zones are supposed to be temporary during construction periods, but they have lasted for over 2 years.

It seems that every week in the news, there is some story about the failures of the MBTA. It’s been service disruptions, safety hazards at stations, and many other mishaps that have placed the transit system in the bad graces of Boston’s citizens.

Public transportation is meant to be a quick, relatively inexpensive, and effective way to bring people around their cities. It is clear that the MBTA is failing to fulfill these basic needs.

The Green Line runs straight through BU’s campus, alongside various bus routes, so BU students witness these issues on a daily basis.

“It’s really slow and takes forever to go from stop to stop,” said Danielle Witter (CGS ‘22, COM ‘24).

Witter also mentioned long wait times as another qualm with the transit service: “It should not be a 20-minute wait for the next train to come.”

Since the T is a common mode of transportation for many students, it can also get overcrowded on train cars.

“I hate when it’s super packed and they open the doors anyways,” said Witter.

Public transport can also be a large cost for many. BU offers a semester pass at $320 for unlimited rides, but many choose to opt-out. Still, at $2.40 for a one-way ticket, it can add up.

There have been many solutions proposed to help make the MBTA more accessible and to ensure that it runs smoothly.

These include the recent shutdowns of various lines to try and improve their conditions. Also, Mayor Michelle Wu proposed making transit free during her campaign. Her administration also lowered fares on three bus lines that serve lowerincome communities, predominantly populated by people of color.

While these solutions would definitely be welcomed, there is still a lot of work to be done. Compared to other transit systems in the U.S., like New York or Washington D.C., the MBTA has fewer riders, but often more delays.

“With policy,” said Maddie Starkey (COM ‘25), “I believe it can be fixed.”

One thing that could certainly help would be to expand the car sizes. Green Line trains often only have two cars, and sometimes even operate with just one. This can lead to overcrowding and an overall unpleasant riding experience.

A (very) recent change that has been made to the MBTA is that a new general manager has been appointed. Phillip Eng, who is an engineer with work experience in other transit systems, will take on the position and the issues the organization faces.

Even more maintenance is scheduled to begin on multiple lines of the MBTA in the coming months, but a lot more has to be done to fix this broken system.