What is the “We Love the 55” Campaign?
This campaign was inspired by the resilient and successful advocacy in 2020 when the line was completely shut down. Our goal is to continue to advocate for a reliable and resilient bus for riders!
The #55 Coalition was assembled in 2021 in response to #55 cuts, schedule reduction, and a Bus Network Redesign that proposed a route incompatible with community needs.
During the pandemic in 2020, the MBTA completely cut service to 55 route. Today, the 55 route has been restored partially. However, its current schedule (10AM to 4PM) and limited route (ending at Copley instead of Park Street) do not meet current community needs, nor will ridership of the limited route and schedule provide the means to assess the need of a growing Fenway.
The 55-bus route serves a critical artery for Fenway residents, visitors, and employees of our neighborhood and institutions. This route is especially critical for seniors and people with accessibility needs who rely on the bus as their main form of public transportation. The route provides a direct connection between the West Fenway to other neighborhoods: the East Fenway, Back Bay, and at one-point, direct connection to Beacon Hill, and Downtown. There are 410 homes for elders, people with disabilities, and working class on the 55 bus route alone. Additionally, the route encompasses essential services like Star Market and the Peterborough Senior Center.
Reimagine the #55 Bus
The 55 Bus Route Coalition’s actively engaged with the MBTA’s Bus Network Redesign to ensuring that the redesign of the #55 adequately meets the needs of Fenway residents, with emphasis on the needs of individuals with mobility challenges and seniors. We have participated in meetings with the MBTA Bus Network Redesign project team, attended public hearings, created a petition with 200+ signatures, and conducted a community focus group as part of our advocacy efforts.
As the Fenway and adjacent neighborhoods are experiencing an expansion of residential and retail development, full scale bus service that offers reliable transit service is essential. The additional residents, employees, patrons, and visitors will require multiple transportation options as an already over capacity and overcrowded Green Line does not suffice in transporting passengers between the West Fenway and its adjacent neighborhoods.
Our mission is to advocate for a dependable and resilient bus service that truly serves the needs of residents, visitors, and working class. 10 AM – 4 PM service hours are not accessible for many. Join us in championing a reliable 55 bus route for all riders!
Timeline of our Advocacy!
#55 BUS STUDY, FALL 2022
This study, resulting from the MGM Music Hall community engagement process, analyzes the pre-COVID and current #55 bus service. It explores ways to enhance mobility on and around the route, including an evaluation of the Bus Network Redesign proposal.
Key Findings Include:
• Community-based criteria evaluation results, and public feedback heard during this study,strongly support restoring the former #55 route alignment with a possible extension to the LMA(slide 19).
• The technical analysis revealed the two top-performing options in terms of increasing ridership are to restore the former #55 route alignment with enhanced service levels or to restore the former #55 route alignment with an extension to Ruggles Station (slide 21).
• The technical analysis found the most cost-effective option, in terms of operating cost per weekday boarding, is to restore the former #55 route alignment with enhanced service levels.
The #55 Bus has been a vital method of transportation in the Fenway neighborhood for decades. Recently, both the hours and route were cut: the #55 currently runs only from 10am to 4pm, and the slashed route ends at Copley Square instead of Park Street. There are countless reasons to take the #55, but here are our favorites at each stop:
The 55 Bus Route—Where You Can Go!
Ways to get more involved:
Join the coalition’s email list to stay updated on our advocacy efforts. We also announce our meetings to this list! Join today!
Get Started as an MBTA Bus Operator
Since the pandemic, the MBTA has struggled to maintain adequate bus drivers! This has caused delays to the the implementation of the Bus Network Redesign. Help the MBTA increase their bus driver availability by sharing this with your networks!
Benefits include:
$30.25/hour, $62,920/year
Paid Training
Sign-on Bonus
Note: Applications for bus operator positions are temporarily closed. Check back again or contact for more information.
Get Started as an MBTA Bus Operator | MBTA Careers | MBTA
