The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is set to implement a significant change to its public transit offerings, making all services free after 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights for a month starting September 5. This initiative aims to accommodate late-night workers and enhance Boston’s appeal as a vibrant city that embraces a more active nighttime economy.
The announcement was made during a press conference following the MBTA’s board of directors meeting on Tuesday, where Governor Maura Healey highlighted the importance of providing a public transit system that meets the needs of its users. “The idea is that you’re going to get a public transit system that you deserve, and that’s an option for you, that works for you,” she stated, expressing the agency’s commitment to improving access to late-night service.
From September 5 until October 4, riders will be able to utilize all subway lines, bus routes, ferries, commuter rail lines, and RIDE trips at no cost on Friday and Saturday nights. MBTA general manager Phillip Eng expressed optimism about the service extension, stating that the changes will last indefinitely. He estimated that a year of expanded service would cost about $2 million, which has already been factored into the agency’s budget.
Historically, extending transit service into late-night hours has been a contentious issue. Although it has garnered political support, there have been financial concerns regarding its sustainability. Eng, however, indicated confidence in the current plans, emphasizing that the agency is not treating this as a temporary trial but rather as a permanent adjustment to regular service.
“Success, he continued, will be defined by the availability of the service, not its usage. We’re a public transit agency. We do it to provide a public service, and there’s a lot of people that needed to rely on this service that haven’t been able to use it,” he remarked, stressing that the goal is to offer reliable transit options for those who need them the most.
Brian Kane, the executive director of the MBTA Advisory Board, acknowledged Eng’s confidence but noted the need to closely monitor the financial implications of the service extension. Kane pointed out that increasing operating hours could put additional strain on the MBTA’s finances, especially given projections of worsening economic conditions in the upcoming years.
The MBTA’s history with late-night service is complex. In 2001, the agency introduced the “Night Owl” bus service, which connected downtown Boston with surrounding areas from 1 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. on weekends. Initially part of a one-year trial, this service aimed to respond to demands from politicians, college students, and advocacy groups. Although it saw early success, ridership eventually declined, leading to its elimination in 2005 due to high operating costs.
Efforts to boost nighttime transit options resurfaced in the 2010s, aligning with growing political movements to enhance Boston’s vibrancy and appeal. In 2014, the MBTA launched another one-year pilot program extending subway hours and some bus routes on Friday and Saturday nights. However, by the following year, concerns about long-term financial sustainability led to downsizing the service, which ultimately ended in early 2016 following significant costs.
Despite the past challenges, many regulars of the T are optimistic about this new initiative. Saloni Patel, a mechanical engineering student at Northeastern University, expressed enthusiasm for the extended hours, stating, “Honestly, that would be pretty nice for me. Especially with college life, taking the Green Line after concerts or baseball games, it would be pretty nice.”
Fellow student Julia Missagia shared her excitement, saying, “Yes, definitely I would take advantage of it for sure. Sometimes I’ll go out to dinner or, if we’re drinking or whatever, the subway is great. Ubers are way too expensive and driving in the city is just a pain.” Missagia also expressed hope for later commuter rail services to enhance overall transit options.
Not all potential riders are convinced of the benefits of the extended service. Graham Perrault, a 39-year-old bartender and security staff member at Durty Nelly’s, shared his skepticism. He typically drives to work from East Boston on weekends due to the early closure of the Blue Line. While he indicated that he might take advantage of the new schedule if his work hours allow, he remained uncertain about its overall utility.
Critics of the MBTA often point to the extensive late-night transit options available in other U.S. cities as examples to aspire to. New York City’s subway runs around the clock, while Chicago maintains 24/7 service on two of its ‘L’ train lines. Philadelphia offers all-night bus routes along some subway lines, and the D.C. metro operates until about 2 a.m. on weekends.
Eng had hinted at potential expansions in nighttime service during a public radio appearance last fall, reflecting an ongoing conversation about improving the city’s transit system to meet the needs of a diversifying population and economy. With the introduction of free late-night services, the MBTA is taking a significant step toward addressing those needs, while navigating the complex interplay of demand, costs, and public service goals.
image source from：bostonglobe
