BOSTON (WBZ News Radio)-On Tuesday, Acting Mayor Kim Jenny announced that the City of Boston will extend the pilot free fare on Route 28 until the end of the year. Highway 28 is one of the busiest bus routes in Boston, and it is planned to last for 3 months from August 29. However, the City of Boston will work with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority to use funds to pay for an additional month of free rides that are included in the operating budget for the 2022 fiscal year.

"The success of this pilot program demonstrates the importance of the 28 bus as an economic engine, connecting the residents of Dorchester, Roxbury, and Matapan with jobs, schools, and other important destinations," Jenny Say.

According to data from the City of Boston, the number of riders on Route 28 increased from about 47,000 per week (about 70% of pre-pandemic riders) to more than 70,000 per week, almost matching the pre-pandemic usage.

MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak said: “Extending the pilot to the end of the calendar year allows us to collect more data so that we can conduct a thorough and comprehensive assessment of the pilot’s impact on passengers and the bus network.”

Read more: MBTA Traffic Police: Man throws racist slander, glass bottle on red line

The city government stated that they are waiting for the federal government to make a decision on the Blue Hills Avenue RAISE Grant application. The city government stated that if they receive funding, they will use the funds to create more central bus lanes and other corridor improvements for Blue Hill Avenue.

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