Infrastructure
Mayor Michelle Wu Reports 35% Ridership Surge on Boston Fare-Free Bus Routes
City Council votes to extend fare-free transit pilots on Routes 23, 28, and 29 through 2028.
Choseno Civic News Desk August 8, 2026 1 min read MA, US
★ Choseno Civic Briefing
BOSTON, Mass. — Mayor Michelle Wu and the MBTA released positive operational data showing that Boston's fare-free bus routes have surpassed pre-pandemic ridership records while speeding up boarding times.
Equitable Transit for Working Families
The three routes serve high-ridership corridors through Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan, saving regular daily commuters hundreds of dollars annually.
"Fare-free transit makes our city more connected, equitable, and sustainable," Mayor Wu said.
Faster Commutes
All-door boarding on the fare-free routes reduced bus dwell times at stops by over 20%.
Topics
Michelle WuBostonMBTATransitAffordability
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