Boston MBTA Strengthens Service on Two Key Routes

MBTA adds second buses to routes 714 and 716, cutting wait times in half starting April 5

MBTA Adds Buses to Routes 714 and 716

Riders in Boston's Mattapan neighborhood and communities south of the city will see more frequent bus service starting next month. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority announced a one-year pilot to expand service on routes 714 and 716, supported by $1.5 million in federal Transit Transformation Program funding. Both routes will add a second vehicle beginning Sunday, April 5, officials said.

Context and Background

The service improvements affect riders in Boston's Mattapan neighborhood, Canton, Cohasset, Hingham, Hull, and Milton. Routes 714 and 716 currently operate with single vehicles and long wait times, making connections to other transit difficult for riders in these communities. The expansion aims to improve last-mile connections and promote transit equity across the region, officials said. Transit agencies typically add vehicles to routes when they want to increase frequency without changing the route itself.

Key Details

Route 714 will operate approximately every 30 minutes, seven days a week, improving from the current 60-minute frequency. The route will strengthen connections to the Hull Ferry, Route 220 in Hingham, and introduce a new connection to Commuter Rail at Nantasket Junction. Route 716 will operate approximately every 40-45 minutes, seven days a week, improving from current 70-90 minute frequencies. Sunday service will be introduced on Route 716 for the first time, and the route will connect to Brockton Area Transit Authority Route 14, the Mattapan Trolley, local bus routes, and Commuter Rail service at Canton Center and Canton Junction.

Timeline and Implementation

The service changes take effect Sunday, April 5, officials confirmed. Seasonal weekend service to Houghton's Pond will return on Route 716 beginning Saturday, May 23, running through Indigenous Peoples' Day. Stops along both routes are transitioning from flag stops to permanent bus stops, though officials didn't specify when that transition will be complete. The pilot program will run for one year.

Rider Impact and Information

Riders on routes 714 and 716 will see wait times cut roughly in half, with new Sunday service on Route 716 providing seven-day-a-week access for the first time. The improved frequencies and new connections to Commuter Rail, ferry service, and other bus routes will make it easier for riders to reach jobs, medical appointments, and recreational destinations. Moovit provides real-time updates and trip planning for MBTA routes throughout the Boston area.