The MBTA claims that its bus route reroutes will increase overall service while ensuring that routes complement – rather than duplicate – Somerville’s service from the red, orange, and green lines. — Photo by Molly Rains

By Molly Rains

On Monday, the MBTA released a preliminary draft of proposed modifications to bus routes and schedules across Somerville.

The draft marks the beginning phases of a bus network redesign throughout all of Greater Boston. The MBTA has allotted seven years for the planning and implementation of this project, which it claims will increase bus service while improving the equity and availability of high-frequency bus routes across neighborhoods and demographics.

The existing bus network in Somerville is extensive, with about 15 different routes serving the city. The MBTA’s proposed redesign consolidates these into eight routes, six of which are modified high-frequency routes (buses “every 15 minutes or better,” according to the draft plan). Frequency is a theme of the draft, in which every route except the unmodified 94 is projected to have service at least every 30 minutes.

Some routes that Somerville residents are familiar with will remain unmodified or simply receive a new name and increased frequency. These routes include the 96 (becomes high-frequency route T96), the 101 (high-frequency route T101), the 86 (high-frequency route T109), the 90 (frequency increases to 30 minutes from hourly), the 83 (unchanged) and the portion of route 87 north of Davis Square (unchanged). Meanwhile, other routes in the area will change significantly or disappear. This includes several routes along the incoming Green Line Extension, including the 80, 85, 88, and portions of the 87 south of Davis Square.

This draft is one step in what will likely be a multi-phase planning process. The MBTA has acknowledged the importance of communication and education to the success of this project, claiming on their website that their “public information efforts during this time will be more extensive than any [they] have ever launched for a route change.” They are currently accepting community feedback, including at a series of meetings, the next of which will be held virtually on this Thursday, May 19.

Visit the redesign’s web page at mbta.com/bnrd to register for meetings, view maps of the proposed route changes, and learn about the process. You can also share questions or concerns with the MBTA at BetterBusProject@mbta.com.