PATRICK-MURRAY ADMINISTRATION, MAYOR MENINO LAUNCH SILVER LINE DIRECT CONNECT SERVICE TO SOUTH STATION

Press Release Contact: Colin Durrant (617) 973-7870; Joe Pesaturo (617) 222-5697

Boston, MA -- As part of the Patrick-Murray Administration’s Massachusetts Recovery Plan to secure the state’s economic future, Transportation Secretary James A. Aloisi, Jr and Mayor Thomas M. Menino today officially launched the addition of a new Silver Line route between Dudley Station and South Station to improve bus transportation service along the Silver Line Washington Street corridor.

"Now is our chance to make new connections for neighborhoods in Boston and throughout the state," said Governor Deval Patrick. "From the new regional transit center in Greenfield to the launch of the Silver Line Direct Connect project today, we are doing everything we can to make access to public transportation better and build stronger communities."

The $1.7 million project funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act creates a new route, SL4, that will for the first time provide a direct connection between the Roxbury and South End neighborhoods and South Station, improving connections for residents and visitors to the Financial District, South Boston Waterfront, and Logan Airport.

“This injection of stimulus funds allowed us to partner with the City of Boston on a creative transit solution that will improve service and access for residents, visitors, and businesses,” said Secretary Aloisi, who joined Mayor Menino today on an inaugural bus ride from Dudley Station to South Station. "We have demonstrated that you can do more with less by connecting people directly to South Station and from there to the South Boston Waterfront and Logan Airport - the disparate parts of the Silver Line finally are connected."

"The extension of the Silver Line will connect residents from Roxbury, the South End, and Bay Village to the South Boston Waterfront, Logan Airport, and the financial district," said Mayor Menino. "I commend Governor Patrick and Acting General Manager Mitchell for establishing an immediate measure as we work toward a permanent solution."‬‪

With cooperation from the City of Boston, the Executive Office of Transportation and the MBTA designed Silver Line Route SL4 in the direction of Downtown to serve the existing stops along the Washington street corridor, up to Chinatown Station. Route SL4 then turns right onto Essex Street into a dedicated bus lane along Essex Street. Outbound service will serve all stops from Tufts/New England Medical Center Station to Dudley Station. Additional amenities include: new stone curbing and sidewalks with accessible ramps, and a state-of-the-art Mini Station at South Station complete with seating, new lights, heat, CharlieCard access, and trip countdowns to improve customers’ waiting experience.

“This project will enhance commuters’ abilities to travel from Boston’s neighborhoods to the downtown shopping area, provide quicker options for getting to Logan, and bring more foot traffic to our rapidly growing waterfront. I commend the Patrick Administration and Mayor Menino, as well as my colleagues in Congress for continuing to make this project a priority,” said Senator John F. Kerry.

“This new Silver Line Direct Connect route will make travel in Boston safer and more efficient for our residents,” said Senator Paul G. Kirk, Jr. “Effective public transportation is more important than ever as we face budget shortfalls and rising energy costs and these federal funds will give commuters a much needed direct link from Dudley Square to South Station, Logan Airport and beyond.”

“This project is another example of the stimulus bill at work,” said Congressman Mike Capuano. “In addition to putting people to work, the Commonwealth is establishing an important mass transit link between Dudley Station and South Station.”

“We are aware through customer feedback that transit options are critical for customers”, said MBTA Acting General Manager William Mitchell. “The Silver Line SL4 route provides customers with options: whether they work in the Financial District, the Waterfront, or need to connect to the Commuter Rail, this one seat ride from Dudley to South Station will get them there.”

Silver Line Washington Street customers are now provided two options into downtown Boston where they can connect easily to their destinations, and other modes of the transit system. The existing Silver Line service between Dudley Station and Downtown Crossing with stops at Temple Place and Boylston Street, has been renamed Route SL5. Route SL5 frequency will not be reduced. The recently added Route SL4 - Dudley to South Station will operate every 10 minutes during the weekday morning and evening rush hour. Daytime service on weekdays and weekends will operate every 15 minutes, and late evening service will operate every 20 minutes. Note: Silver Line Route SL4 does not make stops at Temple Place and Boylston Street.

“This addition to the ‘Silver Line’ route is an important option for riders from the South End and Roxbury. South Station is a destination that many want. It is being done in a way that does not detract from the service to Temple Place and is not in any way disruptive to residences and businesses along the route,” said State Representative Byron Rushing. “This is public transportation flexibility at its best. The ridership along Washington Street has exceeded expectations. I hope this addition will increase that popularity."

"This one seat ride from Dudley station to South station is another step forward in our march to re-establish direct transportation access for residents of Roxbury and North Dorchester to the Financial District and to our Waterfront,” said State Representative Marie P. St. Fleur

Silver Line ridership continues to grow with 29,670 boadings per weekday. There are 14,709 weekday boardings on Silver Line Route SL5 - Dudley to Temple Place. There are 14,961 weekday boardings on Silver Line Waterfront Routes SL1 & SL2.

View Silver Line (SL 4) schedule

To view project documents, maps and materials visit: www.mass.gov/eot/southstationdirectconnect

For transportation news and updates visit the EOT blog at www.mass.gov/blog/transportation or follow EOT on twitter at www.twitter.com/massdot.