Since the start of the pandemic, times have changed dramatically. For Fenway residents, it has meant the end of a beloved bus line, the 55 bus. Community groups and residents alike have demanded the “55 [bus]… restored to its pre-pandemic service levels and that the route… extended to Park Street.” The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority says that the “staffing challenge” makes it more difficult for them to hire train and bus operators to service all areas in Boston.
According to a press release by the Fenway Community Development Corporation, the 55 bus travels through “the heart of Fenway.” It was shut off at the onset of the pandemic due to low ridership. The community development corporation says that the bus is critical for resident’s day-to-day commuting. “There is a gap in public transit for residents who rely on it the most,” reads a press release, “many Fenway elders rely on the 55 [bus] for grocery shopping appointments, and other activities.”
Boston City Councilor Kenzie Bok “led the charge” in putting pressure on the transportation authority. Eventually, the 55 bus was restored on a reduced schedule on June 20, 2021. Instead of the pre-coronavirus 6:30 AM – 11:10 PM schedule, the current 55 bus runs from 10:30 AM to 3:30 AM.
On June 25, Fenway residents rallied at the 55 bus stop at Jersey and Queensberry Streets. They demanded that the route not only be restored but also extended to Park Street. Community groups point to 17 projects planned in Fenway that will bring immense congestion, not counting the multitude of cars on Red Sox home games.
In a statement released by the transportation authority, bus services are “increased… on the routes where demand is highest.” As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, “staffing challenges make it difficult to add more service at this time.” With Boston recovering from the pandemic, the main goal of the transportation authority has been to restore bus service to places with no “transit alternatives.” Since the area that the 55 bus included has “the Green Line, other bus routes within ¼ (one quarter) mile,” the transportation authority has decided not to restore the bus line.
The transportation authority also mentioned a return to normality. Next month, they have pledged to operate 93% of the bus service hours before the pandemic. The transportation authority is currently monitoring “commuting trends” and will adjust the bus schedules on a quarterly basis.