Bus updates, Wayfinding with MRWA -and meetings?

[Ellery Klein, WalkMedford]

Hello WalkMedford, 

It's been a bit quiet around here in WM land. We've been enjoying walking through the new safer rotary at Salem and I-93 and excited about the earmark money for the Mystic Lakes paths. 

But it's time to get back to work advocating for and imagining a Medford that is truly safe, pleasant and accessible for all residents of all ages and abilities to travel in, around and to and from! 

We would definitely like to get a meeting together this summer to get momentum going again for WalkMedford. 

Have a walk audit you'd like to do, or an issue you want to bring up? Let us know, and do reach out to safewal...@gmail.com if you'd like to commit to a meeting and help pick a date/time. We'll send out a meeting announcement soon. 

In the meantime, two announcements of events worth participating in! 

MBTA Better Bus Project update! 

From Todd Blake, our traffic engineer: "Great news – Medford has an opportunity to keep both the 80 and 94 buses (see the updated proposal).  Note: The currently approved Bus Network Redesign (BNR) includes the elimination of the 94." 

 

June 15^th Meeting notice:

https://www.mbta.com/events/2026-06-15/bus-network-redesign-proposed-updates-virtual

 

Proposal/graphic:

Bus Network Redesign Proposed Updates | Projects | MBTA

MBTA Better Bus Project has acknowledged comments about potential route loss from residents, thanks in no small part to the efforts of concerned citizen Anita who went out and gathered lots of signatures. Thank you Anita!!!! 

She writes: "Medford is being given three options:

Option A: Extend Route 80 to Arlington Heights and maintain existing routing on 67 and 350. This would provide Arlington residents with direct access to key transfer points.

Option B: Retain Route 94. This would provide Medford residents with direct access to Boston Ave.

Option C: Re-route the 96 bus to Boston Ave away from George St. This improves frequency on Boston Ave. Route 96 becomes a frequent bus route providing 15 minutes or better service.

The proposed MBTA updates can be found here:

https://www.mbta.com/projects/bus-network-redesign-proposed-updates

Get engaged with the Bus Network Redesign proposed updates by attending MBTA's first virtual public meeting on Monday, June 15 at 6pm. Learn more about proposed changes and share your feedback to help guide how we move forward.

Register for the Bus Network Redesign Proposed Updates public meeting here.

This event is one of many ways to engage with the Better Bus Project Team on the Bus Network Redesign proposed updates. More public events will be scheduled for July, and a survey will be released mid-June. Comments can also be emailed to BetterBu...@MBTA.com.

***** 

Mystic River Watershed Association has been working on wayfinding for our admittedly maze-ish multi-use paths along the Mystic. Join them 

• THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2026
• 12:00 PM  1:00 PM

 to comment on and help shape wayfinding signs to make it easier for all to jump in on walking and cycling along these paths for transportation or recreation! See attached PDF for more info. 

Yours on foot and two wheels, 

Ellery Klein 

WalkMedford