Newton residents who use MBTA buses could see some changes by next spring.
The proposed changes, according to the MBTA, are an effort to increase ridership by shifting around existing funds. It's one of many changes proposed in the MBTA's 69-page report, which can be accessed through its Web site.
One Newton bus route has already been altered. Route 57, which goes from Watertown Yard to Kenmore Square, was reportedly changed over the Labor Day weekend with no negative reaction from the public.
"That already happened," said Lydia Rivera, spokesman for MBTA. "The bus still goes to the same place, but instead the bus will turn at Oak Square every other trip instead of going into Watertown."
Route 59 (Needham Junction to Watertown Square) currently has two buses using Elliot Street (a mostly residential area) and one bus using Needham Street (a more commercial area) during the week.
The proposed change would swap the schedules, putting only one bus on Elliot and two on Needham during the week. It would also eliminate all weekend service on Elliot Street, with all buses using Needham Street.
Route 500 (Riverside Station to downtown Boston) may be eliminated due to poor ridership.
"But, to be honest, we're looking at a compromise to accommodate those who use this bus," Rivera said.
On Friday, Sept. 19, Director of Planning and Development Mike Kruse said a notice was put into the city's "Friday Report," which goes out to more than 300 appointed and elected officials and neighborhood leaders, about the proposed bus route changes. The report said that the public had through Sept. 30 to voice their comments and that there were several public meetings, which presented opportunities to do so.
Rivera said the MBTA held 10 public meetings in various towns and cities all through September, none of which were in Newton. The closest ones to the city were in Allston Sept. 8, and Waltham on Sept. 17.
"Each year the locations of the public meetings changes," Lydia said. "We have had meetings in Newton before. We try to spread it around as much as possible."
In response to the proposed changes, Alderman Brian Yates wrote a passionate e-mail to the MBTA on Sept. 23 that he made available to the Newton TAB. In the e-mail, he urged the MBTA not to cut off residents of Newton Upper Falls.
"Many of them are elderly or otherwise disabled. Even younger, able-bodied people lack cars and depend on the bus to get them to jobs along its Watertown-Needham route, the Newton Highlands Green Line Station and Newton City Hall," wrote Yates.
Yates also wrote that Catholics who use the bus on Elliot Street wouldn't be able to attend services at Mary Immaculate of Lourdes Church.
Rivera said the MBTA's Board of Directors will now take public comments and concerns under consideration and may make adjustments to the proposals in late winter.
