The city says the neighborhood shuttles will connect residents with MBTA stops, jobs, schools, health care and local businesses without charging riders. Approximately $11.5 million from the Federal Highway Administration's Congestion Relief Program is intended to support three years of operations while Boston measures ridership, demand and options for continuing the services.
Transportation management associations will operate services for Allston-Brighton, Charlestown and the Lower Mystic, and the Seaport. The Economic Development and Industrial Corporation of Boston will competitively procure operators for the Mattapan and Roxbury services. The city expects launches in early 2027, but the Mattapan and Roxbury routes, stops, schedules and service models are not yet final.
The Link Bus network is separate from the MBTA Routes 23, 28 and 29 fare-free program, which Boston says continues through the end of 2026. Community engagement, procurement and service planning will continue before launch, and the city plans to post rider information and stop details on its website when they are ready.