Transportation Meeting Sparks Debate in JP

By Beth Wolfson

JAMAICA PLAIN — A few years ago, the MBTA replaced its green line trolleys, which for decades ran up and down Centre Street with the 39 bus line. Since then, residents have called for the Trolleys' return.

At a transportation meeting at the Agassiz Elementary School Monday night, residents questioned whether the bus could substitute the Green Line.

MBTA project director Erik Scheier gave a brief presentation discussing plans to form an advisory commission of local residents, develop a traffic signal improvement program, consolidate bus stops and build curb extensions.

“I don’t think your plan for improvements is aggressive enough,” said Franklyn Salimbene, chairman of the Arborway committee, one of the main critics of the bus line.

When the MBTA discontinued Green Line service to JP, The Arborway Committee and the Better Transit without Trolley Committee were formed to discuss the transportation issue.
Arborway members hope the MBTA will reinstate the Green Line. Better Transit accepts the bus and is now looking to improve its flaws. Both committees were represented at the meeting.

“I wouldn’t mind if the bus took longer, if I knew what time it would get there,” said Jon Truslow, a member of the Better Transit Committee in response to the bus route’s unreliable nature.

“I agree with you,” said MBTA representative Wendy Stern. “What we all want to achieve here is reliability and punctuality.”

Others argued that the 39 route is unnecessary, because the Green Line tracks are already in JP.

“A Green Line from Brigham Circle is already in place and is a straight shot to JP without interruption,” Salimbene said.

Salimbene also suggested a study be done to track the number of bus riders with a follow-up study in 2009 or 2010 to see whether the proposed improvements increased ridership. He noted the number of people using public transportation in JP has decreased since the Green Line was removed.

Some residents voiced concerns over biker safety, handicap accessibility and the financial burden of making improvements to the 39 bus line.

“I flipped right off my bike at the area around Forrest Hill Station where the cobble stone path is,” said Curtis Claven, an active biker who crosses the old T tracks and cobble stone path on his way to work. “It needs to be changed if you want the busses to use it and if you want it to be safe for bikers.”

“I am concerned about removing bus stops,” said Kathy Podgers, an elderly woman who needs a guide dog to get around town. “Three hundred feet is a long way to walk to a bus stop, especially for the elderly and disabled.”

“When and how will we pay for this?” said Joy Silverstein, a JP native.

Stern said the cost would fall on the MBTA.

“It’s about ridership going up; we want people out of their cars,” said Sara Wermiel, a Better Transit committee member. “We want people to use public transportation.”