Columbus Avenue Bus Lanes
The Columbus Avenue bus lane project aims to improve transit times along some of our busiest bus routes.
Routes 22, 29, and 44 serve a large number of low-income riders. The new priority bus lanes will provide riders with faster, more reliable trips.
The bus lanes are being improved in two phases.
- Phase 1 was completed in October 2021. We added center-running bus lanes and boarding platforms along Columbus Avenue.
- Phase 2 is in the concept design stage, and will include transit priority facilities, bus stop and shelter improvements, bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements, and improvements to public spaces.
Building a Better T
As part of our $9.6 billion, 5-year capital investment plan, we're renovating stations, modernizing fare collection systems, upgrading services for our buses, subways, and ferries, and improving the accessibility of the entire system.
Phase 2: Tremont/Columbus
- Timeline: 2022 - 2025
- Status: 30% Design
Phase 2 of the Columbus Avenue Bus Lanes project will provide multimodal transportation and safety improvements on the 1.2 mile segment of Columbus Avenue and Tremont Street located roughly between Jackson Square and Ruggles Station.
This project will build upon the successful implementation of Phase 1, which implemented New England’s first center-running bus lanes. It will benefit a number of bus routes, including the 14, 15, 22, 23, 28, 41, 44, 45, and 66.
Learn More About Phase 2
The MBTA and City of Boston, working together and with the community, have refined a concept design for the Tremont Columbus Phase 2 Bus Lanes project.
The proposed concept would extend the existing center-running bus lanes on Columbus Avenue north from Jackson Square to Ruggles Station. The design includes:
- Center platforms with shelters and real-time arrival information
- Redesigned circulation to reduce bus travel times throughout the corridor
- Improvements to pedestrian crossings
- Added green infrastructure to make the area more welcoming for everyone who lives, studies, and travels along the corridor
Downloads
Phase 1
- Timeline: 2020 – 2021
- Status: Complete
The Columbus Avenue Bus Lanes Project was a collaborative effort between the City of Boston, MBTA, and community stakeholders. Planning started in August 2019, and operational service began on October 30, 2021.
The project enabled riders on bus routes 22, 29, and 44 to use New England's first center-running bus lane, stretching from Jackson Square to Walnut Ave. Center-running bus lanes incorporate elements of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)—dedicated bus lanes that are in the center (or median) of the street—eliminating conflicts with vehicular traffic and parked vehicles.
The new Columbus Avenue boarding platforms feature:
- Higher curbs for easier boarding
- Digital screens with real-time arrival information and audio announcements
- Canopy shelters, new seating, and improved lighting
- Safety barriers to separate riders on the platforms from traffic
- Emergency call boxes
We also improved pedestrian safety and accessibility with new crosswalks, ramps, signals, and curb extensions along the corridor.
Bus Transit Priority
Columbus Avenue is just one place we’re building new bus lanes. We’re partnering with communities to develop more bus lanes to give riders faster, more reliable trips, and implement other transit priority features like queue jumps and signal priority.
Learn more about our Bus Transit Priority projects
Photo Gallery
MassDOT Secretary and CEO Jamey Tesler, MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak, City of Boston Mayor Kim Janey, MBTA leadership staff, community leaders, and advocates celebrated the opening of Columbus Avenue’s center-running bus lane facility with a ribbon-cutting event.
A route 29 bus at the new Walnut Avenue stop (October 2021)
A new digital screen at the Bray Street boarding platform (November 2021)
An aerial view of the Columbus Avenue bus lanes (November 2021)
An MBTA instructor conducting operational testing in the new bus lanes (October 2021)
Crews constructing canopies for the new bus platforms on Walnut Avenue (Summer 2021)
MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak speaking at the Columbus Avenue ribbon cutting (November 2021)
The new bus boarding platform being constructed near the intersection of Columbus Ave opposite Weld Ave (January 22, 2021)
A construction crew works on the new bus boarding platform at Columbus Ave at Bray St, near Egleston Square (January 15, 2021)
Pedestrians cross the street after getting off the bus (July 30, 2020). Boarding platforms will allow for safer, two-stage, signalized crossings.
Buses caught in traffic on Columbus Ave (July 30, 2020). Bus lanes will improve bus travel time and reliability.
Past Events
More Information
To learn more about this partnership with the City of Boston, please visit the BTD Transit Team's Columbus Avenue project page.
Send any questions or comments to betterbusproject@mbta.com.
Recent Updates
Related Projects
Building a Better T
As part of our $9.6 billion, 5-year capital investment plan, we're renovating stations, modernizing fare collection systems, upgrading services for our buses, subways, and ferries, and improving the accessibility of the entire system.