• Contact Us
  • Events calendar
Entering Swellesley
Pinnacle, Wellesley

The Swellesley Report

More than you really want to know about Wellesley, Mass.

  • Advertise
  • Business index
  • Contribute
  • Wellesley Square
  • Private schools
  • Camp
  • Eat
  • Schools
  • Top 10 things to do
  • Embracing diversity
  • Kids
  • About us
  • Events
  • Natick Report
  • COVID-19
  • Letters to the Editor
  • Athlete of the Week
  • Seniors
Needham Bank, Wellesley
Write Ahead, Wellesley

Transportation in Wellesley—what are our options?

May 4, 2022 by admin Leave a Comment

SPONSORED CONTENT: The following is a guest column by Colette Aufranc, Select Board and Mobility Committee; and Marybeth Martello, Climate Action Committee. This is the first in a series for Wellesley’s “May is Mobility Month” campaign dedicated to transportation actions available in Wellesley that support the town’s Sustainable Mobility Plan and Climate Action Plan. The columns are authored by members of the Select Board, Climate Action Committee, Mobility Committee, School Committee, and Trails Committee.

As spring returns to New England, and pre-pandemic routines have ramped up, traffic and congestion in Wellesley have returned. During the month of May, Wellesley is celebrating MOBILITY!

Wellesley, mobility

As part of this initiative, we’re encouraging all residents to re-evaluate our behaviors and hopefully keep some of the “COVID silver linings”—more outdoor activity and mobility for all, less traffic, reduced pollution, and more. Also our continuing volatile weather—unseasonably warm days followed by cold and snow—has intensified a sense of urgency to meet our town and state climate goals: achieving net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 and interim goals of a 50% reduction by 2030 and a 75% reduction by 2040.

These two objectives go hand in hand: Transportation contributes to 43% of our GHG emissions in Wellesley. By shifting our transportation behavior, we can all contribute to a healthier lifestyle, improve our community environment, and help reduce the impact of climate change. Where do we start? What is effective? What resources are available to use?

The MBTA and Commuter/Regional Rail

It’s still known as the “Commuter Rail” but the MBTA transformation to a “Regional Rail” is underway. Coming soon, the MBTA will offer bi-directional “Clock Face Scheduling” where weekday trains run at the same, dependable time, hourly throughout the day—no service gaps! Design has started on a third train track for the Framingham/Worcester line that will add capacity for more frequent service and decrease travel time. Due to construction, check the MBTA website for temporary schedule changes to midday and weekend service. There are no changes to weekday peak service.

  • Trade in your downtown parking spot for a rail pass. Use the MBTA mTicket app or visit the MBTA website to learn more about commuter rail fares, passes, and purchase options.
  • Take the train to work, dinner in Boston, or a baseball game without the hassle of traffic and parking headaches.
  • Try out the train for leisure using the new unlimited $10 weekend passes. The MBTA offers discounted fares for seniors, people with disabilities, students, and low-income adults. Customers who are blind or have low vision ride for free, and up to two children 11 and under ride for free with each fare-paying adult.
  • Commuter rail passes are valid on the entire MBTA bus, subway, and ferry network.

Rapid Transit—the MBTA Green Line

Subway, Metro, Tube, or T. No matter the name, rapid transit is a great alternative to Boston traffic and pricy parking rates. Affectionately known as the “T”, the Green Line (D) train serves Newton, Brookline, the Longwood medical area, and arts and cultural destinations in Boston. There are four stations within easy reach of Wellesley—Riverside and Woodland (both ADA accessible), Waban, and Eliot. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) recently invested over $100 million in Green Line improvements including signal and track replacements. These improvements will increase service frequency and reduce travel times.

In December 2021, the Green Line Extension opened, and now provides expanded service to Lechmere and Union Square in Boston.

In the coming weeks, look for more guest columns about transportation options in Wellesley. From rail bus, MWRTA Bus, and Micro Transit, to local bus shuttle services, school transportation and our extensive trails network, there are many opportunities to get all of us from here to there without starting up a car.

Learn More

Visit the Public Transportation pages on the Town of Wellesley website
(https://www.wellesleyma.gov/476/Public-Transportation-Parking) for detailed information on transportation options.

Here’s the plan

Find out more about the community-wide initiatives the Town is targeting to enable more mobility alternatives—from sidewalk connectivity to bike racks, road crossing lights, and bike lanes. Check out:

Wellesley’s Sustainable Mobility Plan (https://www.wellesleyma.gov/1635/Sustainable-Mobility-Plan)

AND

Wellesley’s Climate Action Plan (https://www.wellesleyma.gov/1584/Climate-Action-Plan)

print

Share

Filed Under: Environment, Transportation

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You have to agree to the comment policy.

Linden Square, Wellesley
Dedham Country Day School
Wonderful Wellesley, see what's new

Tip us off…

Please send tips, photos, ideas to [email protected]

 

Advertisements

Wellesley Square
Wellesley, Jesamondo
Edge on Science
Sexton test prep
Feldman Law
Fay School, Southborough
Wellesley Theatre Project
Volvo
Cheesy Street Grill
Admit Fit, Wellesley
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
Never miss a post with our free daily Swellesley Report email
Name: 
Your email address:*
Please wait...
Please enter all required fields Click to hide
Correct invalid entries Click to hide

You can subscribe for free, though we appreciate any contribution that supports our independent journalism.

Click on Entering Natick sign to read our Natick Report

Entering Natick road sign

Most Read Posts

  • Family withdraws plan for large house near Wellesley's Brook Path
  • Wellesley Business Buzz: Merchants raise 'Parking, parking, parking' concerns in Wellesley Square; Lockheart Restaurant sign goes up
  • The Wellesley aqueduct bathrooms at Hunnewell Field have landed
  • Wellesley public works taking fresh look at RDF give-and-take area
  • Wellesley POPS Senior Profile: Jessica Klurfeld doubly talented as clarinet player & singer

Upcoming Events

Jul 6
10:00 am - 11:00 am

Open House at Boston Outdoor Preschool Network

Jul 16
10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Wellesley Square July Jubilation Sidewalk Sale

Jul 19
8:00 am - 9:00 am

Fay School admission information session

Jul 20
10:00 am - 11:00 am

Tour at Boston Outdoor Preschool Network

Aug 12
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Fay School admission information session

View Calendar

Popular pages

  • Wellesley’s 7 official scenic roads

Recent Comments

  • peter of wellesley on Hardy Elementary School project starting to feel more real
  • J on Family withdraws plan for large house near Wellesley’s Brook Path
  • Donna on Wellesley public works taking fresh look at RDF give-and-take area
  • Bubba on Wellesley Business Buzz: Merchants raise ‘Parking, parking, parking’ concerns in Wellesley Square; Lockheart Restaurant sign goes up
  • Branden on Wellesley Business Buzz: Merchants raise ‘Parking, parking, parking’ concerns in Wellesley Square; Lockheart Restaurant sign goes up

Links we like

  • Great Runs
  • Jack Sanford: Wellesley's Major League Baseball Star
  • Taquitos.net
  • Tech-Tamer
  • The Wellesley Wine Press
  • Universal Hub
  • Wellesley Sports Discussion Facebook Group

Categories

  • 2021 Town Election (24)
  • Animals (416)
  • Antiques (49)
  • Art (577)
  • Beyond Wellesley (47)
  • Books (366)
  • Business (1,502)
  • Camp (11)
  • Careers/jobs (48)
  • Churches (79)
  • Clubs (228)
  • Construction (295)
  • Dump (127)
  • Education (3,108)
    • Babson College (250)
    • Bates Elementary School (16)
    • Dana Hall School (34)
    • Fiske Elementary School (9)
    • Hardy Elementary School (44)
    • Hunnewell Elementary School (42)
    • MassBay (55)
    • Schofield Elementary School (24)
    • Sprague Elementary School (19)
    • St. John School (2)
    • Tenacre Country Day School (11)
    • Upham Elementary School (35)
    • Wellesley College (608)
    • Wellesley High School (961)
    • Wellesley Middle School (203)
  • Embracing diversity (69)
  • Entertainment (786)
  • Environment (749)
  • Fashion (141)
  • Finance (14)
  • Fire (162)
  • Food (342)
  • Fundraising (612)
  • Gardens (157)
  • Government (557)
    • 2020 Town Election (47)
    • 2022 Town Election (14)
  • Health (850)
    • COVID-19 (200)
  • Hikes (3)
  • History (388)
  • Holidays (405)
  • Houses (154)
  • Humor (47)
  • Kids (849)
  • Law (8)
  • Legal notices (6)
  • Letters to the Editor (62)
  • Media (70)
  • METCO (4)
  • Military (11)
  • Morses Pond (108)
  • Music (568)
  • Natick Report (29)
  • Neighbors (273)
  • Obituaries & remembrances (73)
  • Outdoors (642)
  • Parenting (62)
  • Police (757)
    • Crime (386)
  • Politics (551)
  • POPS Senior Profile (8)
  • RDF (6)
  • Real estate (331)
  • Religion (131)
  • Restaurants (332)
  • Safety (150)
  • Scouts (2)
  • Seniors (120)
  • Shopping (143)
  • Sponsored (6)
  • Sports (980)
    • Athlete of the Week (6)
  • STEM (107)
  • Technology (164)
  • Theatre (392)
  • Town Meeting (23)
  • Transportation (230)
  • Travel (17)
  • Uncategorized (1,230)
  • Volunteering (346)
  • Weather (177)
  • Wellesley Election 2019 (21)
  • Wellesley Free Library (276)
  • Wellesley's Wonderful Weekend (19)
RSS Feed Icon Subscribe to RSS Feed
Deland, Gibson Insurance, Wellesley

© 2022 The Swellesley Report
Site by Tech-Tamer · Login