Councillors seek MBTA response to moving Satter House bus stop

  Late last year, Ward 6 Councillor Richard Serino wrote a letter to the MBTA, on behalf of the full City Council, insisting that the bus stop for the 411 route at the Jack Satter House on Revere Beach Boulevard remain in place as the transit authority updated stops and schedules to make service more equitable for those who depend on public transportation. There was no response to the letter or acknowledgement that it was received.

  More recently, Ward 2 Councillor Ira Novoselsky, who has breakfast at the same place as many of the residents of Jack Satter House, heard about the change, which he thought was a misguided idea that had been dropped. He circulated a petition and gathered more than 100 signatures of those opposed to the change, but change still seems to be coming.

  “Making people walk 1,500 feet down the street to a bus stop on the other side of a busy roadway – and walk, not even walk – many of these people are in wheelchairs or have walkers. It’s ridiculous,” said Novoselsky.

  Councillor-at-Large Dan Rizzo attended MBTA meetings when changes to stops and schedules were on the agenda. “We made it clear we wanted to keep that bus stop,” said Rizzo.

  This week, Councillor-at-Large Gerry Visconti filed a motion to have Acting Mayor Patrick Keefe request the community development director and a representative from the MBTA to appear before the council to discuss the removal of the 411 bus stop. “I heard this was actually happening,” said Visconti, who, like other city officials, thought removing the bus stop was a bad idea that had faded away.

  “This has raised concerns among residents and is the reason our seniors feel they are being left behind,” he added.

  Ward 5 Councillor John Powers who helped raise the funding to install the bus stop shelter, also stressed the importance of keeping the stop for the safety of residents.

  Serino said the situation reminded him of the adage “You can’t fight City Hall.” “What’s frustrating is in this case even City Hall can’t fight City Hall,” he said.

  Councillors voted to support Visconti’s motion and welcomed the chance to talk directly with an MBTA official. “We want to reaffirm our position,” said Visconti.