MBTA Advances Electric Fleet With $372M Upgrade
MBTA secures $372M for electric bus facility near Forest Hills station
MBTA Funds $372M Arborway Bus Facility Upgrade
Boston's MBTA secured full funding for a redesigned bus maintenance facility that'll support electric vehicle operations and unlock land for housing development near Forest Hills station. The agency announced $371.5 million from the Commonwealth Transportation Fund for the Arborway Bus Maintenance Facility through its proposed Fiscal Years 2027-2031 Capital Investment Plan. The upgraded facility will be 100% ready for battery-electric buses on day one of completion, officials said.
Electric Fleet Expansion Drives Facility Redesign
The facility upgrade is part of the MBTA's transition to zero-emission buses across its network. The agency has secured $116 million in federal funding in FY22 and $40 million in FY24 specifically for battery-electric buses, plus $78.6 million for new hybrid buses. Transit agencies nationwide are investing in electric bus infrastructure to meet climate goals and reduce operating costs. The MBTA's North Cambridge bus facility will start battery-electric operations this summer, with the new Quincy facility on track for Summer 2027 completion.
New Facility to Serve Six Boston Neighborhoods
The larger facility will be located next to the current site at Washington Street and Arborway in Boston, near Forest Hills station. It'll accommodate a mix of battery-electric and hybrid buses supporting routes in Roxbury, Dorchester, Mattapan, Hyde Park, Roslindale, Jamaica Plain, and areas southwest of Boston. Once construction is complete, the old facility will be demolished and the land will be made available for housing and economic development, officials said. Specific timelines for construction start and completion weren't provided.
Service Improvements Already Showing Results
The facility upgrade supports broader service enhancements, including the restoration of bus service beyond pre-COVID levels starting April 5, 2026. The MBTA has seen a 20% year-over-year ridership boost on bus routes that received improvements in December 2024 as part of Phase 1 of the Bus Network Redesign. The agency's Automated Camera Enforcement Program will launch to improve bus service frequency and accessibility by discouraging drivers from blocking bus lanes and stops.
What Riders Need to Know
The facility upgrade won't disrupt current bus service, as the new building will be constructed adjacent to the existing site. Riders on routes serving Roxbury, Dorchester, Mattapan, Hyde Park, Roslindale, and Jamaica Plain will eventually see newer electric and hybrid buses as the fleet transitions. Moovit provides real-time updates and service alerts for all MBTA bus routes affected by the facility improvements.
