Complaints lead to bus improvements
By Galen Moore
BostonNow: December 20, 2007

If you hate your commute, try complaining about it - you might get a better one.

The MBTA yesterday announced improvements to five bus routes, including two on which riders have campaigned for better service.

Effective Dec. 29, buses will run more frequently on routes 15, between Dorchester and Ruggles Station, and 111, between Chelsea and downtown Boston.

T officials cited a petition campaign by a No. 15 bus rider. [Webmaster's note: The rider they are referring to is TRU member Peggy Jarrett, who led a campaign for improved service on the 15 and 19 with other TRU members this fall.] Meanwhile, the T Rider's Union has long sought better service on the 111, organizer Rene Mardones said.

"That is the thing we are all the time encouraging people to call MBTA customer service about," he said. "It's the only direct connection people (in Chelsea) have to Boston."

The Commuter Rail also runs to Chelsea, but not as frequently as the bus.

MBTA spokeswoman Lydia Rivera said because most of the additional service is during off-peak hours, the T did not have to buy any new vehicles to add more bus trips.

Improved service
111 Bus
7 new weekday trips
25 new Saturday trips
6 new Sunday trips

15 Bus
Increased evening and weekend service to Bowdoin Street, Geneva Avenue and Fields Corner.

Additional improvements
Route 88 in Somerville will get one additional trip, and Routes 225 and 714 on the South Shore will be extended to connect with Greenbush Commuter Rail service.