It was over a year ago, in May of 2008, that I posted to Somerville Voices my idea for changing the 89 bus route to better serve Somerville residents. My chief complaint being that there was no easy return trip from Davis Square after 7pm on weekdays and no service on weekends. Well, earlier this year the route changed for the better, and I’m declaring victory.

The 89 bus route has two variations. Both travel up and down Broadway between Sullivan Square and Powderhouse Square, but one of the variations continues from Powderhouse down Broadway to Clarendon Hill, and the other turns at Powderhouse down College Ave to Davis. At the time of that prior blog post, the bus would serve both variations until 7pm on weekdays but on the “Clarendon Hill route” on weekends and after 7pm on weekdays. Those who would take the 89 to Davis in the morning but had to stay late at work, could find themselves back at Davis after 7pm, stranded without a ride back home. And it provided no service to Davis on weekends for those looking for shopping or a night out. It was frustrating.

In response, I began emailing the T back in November, 2007 suggesting a looping route solution. Between then and now, I wrote several emails to the MBTA — to each of which I did get a personal response — brought it up at Ward 5 ResiStat meetings, and posted to Somerville Voices. At one ResiStat meeting, I and other Ward 5 residents raised the issue to Alderman O’Donovan, who was present. He told us there was no way the route would change, and that those stranded after 7pm at Davis should just walk. Depending on where you live along the route that walk could be as long as an hour, not to mention the darkness, snow, rain, or mobility issues. O’Donovan continues to affirm his place as the city’s most unresponsive alderman.

Well, earlier this year the T quietly changed the route, but not to the looping route. Instead, both variations are still in place, but it’s the “Davis route” that’s available after 7pm on weekdays instead of Clarendon Hill, with a similar schedule on Saturday. On Sunday, the bus goes exclusively to Clarendon Hill. Given that the ridership to Davis appeared to dwarf the ridership to Clarendon Hill on weekdays and Saturdays, this seems like a much better balance, all the riders I’ve spoken to are very happy about the change. I don’t know how much impact my emails and blog post ultimately had, but I’m taking the credit anyway and declaring victory!