MBTA adding shuttle buses, Silver Line to Chinatown during Orange Line shutdown

BOSTON — Few people were outspoken at a meeting held in Chinatown regarding the lack of shuttle buses to service the neighborhood when the Orange Line shuts down Friday night.

“When you guys made up this information and these flyers you didn’t even have Chinatown in mind,” said Cecelia Cordova who is a Chinatown resident.”

Cordova says her Chinatown neighborhood is always overlooked and she’s upset it happened again when the MBTA decided not to have shuttle buses stop here, Ed Flynn who is President of the Boston City Council also represents Chinatown on the council.

“I think the MBTA wants to be supportive and help the neighborhood but that would include having a bus stop here and working with residents on language and communication access,” said Ed Flynn who is the Boston City Council President.

On Wednesday night the T did make changes.

“They’ve announced tonight that they will be adding an additional shuttle bus stop in Chinatown,” said Michelle Wu who is the mayor of Boston.

Details on what route it will take and where it will stop are still being worked out. And the T will also add a Silver Line stop. Mayor Wu says she is happy the MBTA listened.

‘This community is seen and heard and needs to be part of the planning and we are very glad they have responded to the concerns that have been elevated,” said Mayor Wu.

As the shutdown looms Mayor Wu says the city is working with the T to help overcome any issues. And to that end she will try it out herself.

“On Monday I will probably take the shuttle bus route to see how that’s going Tuesday I’ll try to mis it up and go on the commuter rail,”  she said.

Mayor Wu says she’ll also ride a bike one day. And she address signage in multiple languages including Chinese will be provided.

“At each shuttle bus stop there will be sandwich boards in different languages as well as staff on the ground who can help guide and facilitate folks to shuttle buses and help get their bearings,” said Mayor Wu,” said Mayor Wu.

The MBTA says it’ll announce the shuttle bus route and where that shuttle bus will stop on Thursday.

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