MBTA releases Overnight Service Survey Data

BOSTON - The MBTA has released data collected in a survey of individuals who may be interested in bus service during overnight hours.

The data is available on line at the following link: http://www.mbtabackontrack.com/blog/63-overnight-bus-service-survey

The survey, posted on the MBTA website in eight different languages, was conducted from November 2016 to December 2016 and asked individuals to provide information on their travel needs between the hours of 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. Respondents were asked their preferences regarding overnight service availability, the likelihood of use, the frequency of use, preferred boarding times, and the purpose of passengers' overnight trips.

The survey resulted in 7,278 usable responses with a high response rate from 22-34 year olds. Respondents also reported on their current modes of travel between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m., with the highest responses being taxis/rideshares, walking, and carpooling. Since survey respondents were not randomly selected, the results cannot be generalized or used to estimate ridership demand, but can be used to inform the MBTA of the type of service individuals traveling overnight need.

The Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) will use the data to drive decisions regarding whether the MBTA should expand the hours of bus service into the overnight hours and, if so, how the service should be designed. Further in-depth analysis of survey data as well as recommended next steps will be presented to the FMCB next month.