The MBTA Route 7 bus recently had changes made in routing and scheduling in order to increase frequency and prevent overcrowding. These changes began Sept. 2 as part of the updated MBTA fall schedules. The Route 7 travels from City Point in South Boston to Downtown and serves the South Boston Waterfront.

Now this fall, half of all weekday morning peak inbound trips will end at Congress St./Atlantic Ave. (near South Station) instead of Otis St./Summer St. (Downtown Crossing). By ending half of morning peak inbound trips at South Station, route frequency and capacity will be increased. Also take note that Pappas Way will also no longer be served by the Route 7.

See this PDF for both a Route 7 advisory notice and an updated Route 7 schedule/map.

For a complete list of fall bus schedule changes, which went into effect Aug. 30, visit the MBTA web site here.      

The next Community Meeting for the Crossroads Initiative involving the design of Summer Street and Congress Street in the South Boston Waterfront will be held on Monday, Sept. 8 at Factory 63 (63 Melcher Street) at 6PM.

According to the Boston Redevelopment Authority, the Crossroads Initiative exists to create connections between city neighborhoods. The initiative includes plans for Summer and Congress Streets in the South Boston Waterfront including a two-way cycle track (bicycle travel facility separated from vehicle travel lane) on Summer Street, and new streetscape plans including benches, trees, and more.

You can see a slide presentation from the previous October 2013 community meeting here.

On Thursday, Sept. 18, the next Community Meeting for the South Boston Waterfront Sustainable Transportation Plan will be held at District Hall (75 Northern Ave., Boston), at 6PM.

At this meeting, agency leaders from the sponsoring organizations will share their priorities for the South Boston Waterfront and seek input from the community.

For updates and plan documents, visit the plan web site at www.SBWaterfrontMobility.org. 

The South Boston Waterfront Sustainable Transportation Plan is being conducted in order to define and prioritize transportation system investments needed over the next two decades due to the rapid pace of development in the area. The plan is scheduled to be completed in December 2014, at which point a series of recommendations will be made.

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB) is the consultant studying existing conditions and developing the long term plan. Managed by A Better City, this interagency effort has included the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA), Massport, the City of Boston, the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA), the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), the MBTA, and the Seaport TMA.

This project is sponsored by the MCCA, Massport, MassDOT, and the City of Boston, with several private contributions from area companies and developers.

The MA Clean Air Challenge (formerly "Car-Free Week") is scheduled for Sept. 22-26, 2014. During this week, Massachusetts commuters are challenged to "Shift Your Mode."

The Challenge promotes transit, bicycling, walking, carpooling, vanpooling, and teleworking as greener modes of transportation providing environmental, financial, community, and health benefits throughout the Commonwealth. 

Prizes will be drawn from individuals who log their green commute trips on NuRide - the statewide green commute rewards program - as well as those who engage with the Challenge on social media. For more information on these prize opportunities, click here.

The MA Clean Air Challenge is organized by MassCommute (the statewide council of transportation management associations), and MassRIDES (the statewide travel options program of MassDOT).  

Bridj, a transit system using luxury shuttle buses with amenities, is now offering morning commuter services to the South Boston Waterfront, from both Brookline and Allston. Following a month of free beta testing, tickets are available for purchase on the Bridj website.

Bridj service currently stops in the South Boston Waterfront in the Fort Point neighborhood at 347 Congress Street (at the corner of A Street). Routes originate in Brookline's Coolidge Corner at 278 Harvard Street and in Allston at 152 Brighton Avenue.

The startup transit provider has been studying data from many sources to identify new direct shuttle routes based on where commuters work and live.    

You can sign up on Bridj's website with your zip code and email to be notified if a route is developed from your home neighborhood.

For route info, to purchase tickets, and to contact Bridj with questions, visit their web site.

Have you tried Bridj? If you have used the service, or decide to try the service, the Seaport TMA would love to how Bridj worked as a commuter service for you. Send us a quick email at info@SeaportTMA.org.