- Boston city councilors have proposed extending the Orange Line subway beneath Blue Hill Avenue to improve transit access for underserved communities.
- The proposal aims to address a transit desert affecting predominantly Black neighborhoods, including Roxbury, Mattapan, and Dorchester.
- Culpepper and Worrell presented their proposal to Transportation Secretary Phil Ng, who committed to studying the idea.
- The proposed extension would branch off from Ruggles Station and include stops at several key locations along Blue Hill Avenue.
- Mayor Wu's office has indicated opposition to the councilors' proposal, favoring a $162 million redesign plan for Blue Hill Avenue instead.
- Culpepper emphasized the need for better transit options, stating, “What we are proposing is to remedy this train desert” to ensure equitable transportation.
- The Orange Line previously served Dudley Square for 86 years until it was rerouted in 1987, leaving the area reliant on bus services.
- MassDOT is currently conducting a study to assess the feasibility of expanding transit service between the Forest Hills Orange Line station and the Roslindale Village commuter rail station, with findings expected by fall 2026.
Boston city councilors Miniard Culpepper and Brian Worrell are advocating for an extension of the Orange Line subway beneath Blue Hill Avenue to address transit inequities faced by predominantly Black communities in Roxbury, Mattapan, and Dorchester. They describe the area as a “train desert” and emphasize the need for improved rail service.167
Culpepper stated, “What we are proposing is to remedy this train desert ... so that we can enjoy the same kind of transportation that everyone else in the state enjoys.” The proposed extension would branch off from Ruggles Station and include stops at key locations such as Grove Hall, Franklin Park Zoo, and Mattapan Square.4
The councilors argue that the current reliance on bus service is inadequate, stating, “Everyone keeps saying buses. We say, 'No buses.'” They believe that the proposed subway extension is a “generational investment” that is long overdue for these communities, which have been promised better transit options for nearly four decades.
Despite the proposal, Mayor Michelle Wu's office has indicated opposition, planning to proceed with a $162 million redesign of Blue Hill Avenue that includes center-running bus lanes. The councilors are seeking to collaborate with state transit experts to evaluate the feasibility and costs of their proposal, which they believe could utilize federal funding.
Culpepper noted, “We just want no center bus lane. Not only do we want it paused, we want it taken off the table.” The councilors are determined to push for a solution that provides equitable transit access for all residents.
“Two Boston city councilors have proposed extending the Orange Line subway beneath Blue Hill Avenue to improve transit access for underserved communities. This proposal aims to remedy long-standing transportation inequities in areas previously designated as 'train deserts.'”
The Boston Globe
Boston Herald
MassLive
