Recent schedule adjustments to the 74, 75 and 78

We’ve been in touch with the MBTA about frequency reductions that constituents have reported to us on these routes.

This is the written response that we have received as to the 78 and we received verbally similar explanations regarding the 74 and the 75.

Thank you for letting me know about your concerns with recent changes to Route 78 bus service. Beginning this past Monday March 26, the frequency of service during peak hours changed from every 17-19 minutes to every 25 minutes. During the midday period, the frequency changed from every 25-30 minutes to every 35 minutes. As you may know, the morning departures from Arlington Heights are now at 8:12AM and 8:37AM. Evening departures from Harvard are now 5:15PM and 5:40PM.

The midday and some of the peak hour modification is intended to improve schedule adherence – the buses could not reliably meet the previous schedule. In addition, we did reallocate some peak hour resources from Route 78 in order to relieve overcrowding on other bus routes. These schedule revisions are cost-neutral to the MBTA, and are not related to the ongoing effort to resolve our budget deficit.

Schedule changes such as these occur four times per year on many routes, as we try to provide reliable service and meet customer demand. In advance of the new schedule, we posted notices on buses, at the Harvard and Arlington Heights busways, as well as on our website. Our Service Delivery Policy does not classify the changes made to Route 78 as a major schedule change, which would require a full public process. More information about our Service Delivery Policy can be found at http://www.mbta.com/about_the_mbta/t_projects/default.asp?id=12769.

I understand that any schedule revisions can be disruptive to our customers. However, we need some flexibility to be able to deploy our limited resources most effectively, and to provide reliable service. Although we tried to make everyone aware of the upcoming change, I apologize for any inconvenience. Thank you again for writing and for your support of public transportation.

We’ve heard that the T implements schedule changes 4 times a year, these are the specific dates for the coming year. Each change goes into effect on a Saturday, including June 30, Sept. 1, Dec. 29, and March 23.