Service Cutbacks Ahead as MBTA Struggles to Hire New Bus Drivers

Staffing shortages at the MBTA are leading to more service changes this fall, as the troubled transportation agency plans to cut the number of trips on several bus lines during certain times of day.

Forty-three bus routes will experience service cutbacks at different times of day, transit officials announced Wednesday. The MBTA says it's making the changes as it faces challenges in hiring new bus drivers. The T still needs to hire 300 additional drivers.

Over the summer, about 3% of scheduled T bus trips did not happen because of hiring difficulties.

Meanwhile, there are also staffing challenges at the MBTA's Operations Control Center, which is forcing the agency to continue reduced service on a number of train lines.

The new service schedules take effect Sunday.

Here's a chart, showing bus routes that will see decreased service frequency.

The MBTA says safety is the priority, and that it's aggressively trying to hire new bus drivers. A $4,500 bonus is being offered as part of its recruitment efforts.

You can see a full list of service changes for the MBTA's bus and train lines here.

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