85 (MBTA bus)

85 (MBTA bus) is a local bus route operated by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) within the cities of Cambridge and Somerville. It connects the major transit hub of Kendall/MIT station on the MBTA Red Line to the residential neighborhood of Spring Hill, primarily serving the Inner Belt District and Union Square areas. The route provides a critical east-west connection in northern Cambridge and southern Somerville, supplementing the radial rapid transit network.

Route description

The route originates at the busway adjacent to Kendall/MIT station, a major employment center anchored by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and numerous biotechnology firms. It proceeds west on Main Street, passing near the CambridgeSide Galleria and the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge. Turning onto Third Street, it serves the University Park at MIT development before crossing into Somerville via the Gilmore Bridge. The route then travels along Somerville Avenue, serving the commercial core of Union Square, a historic district and future stop on the MBTA Green Line Extension. It concludes at the terminal loop on Spring Hill, near the Somerville High School campus and residential areas.

History

The route's origins trace back to private streetcar operations of the Cambridge Railroad and later the Boston Elevated Railway, which served the Spring Hill and Union Square corridors. Trackless trolley service, a precursor to modern bus routes, was operated by the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) along similar alignments. The route was converted to diesel bus operation in the 1960s and was assigned the number 85 under the newly formed Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority in 1964. Significant routing changes occurred in the late 20th century, including adjustments to serve the redeveloped Kendall Square and the opening of the Kendall/MIT station headhouse. The route has been modified to accommodate major infrastructure projects like the Big Dig and the ongoing MBTA Green Line Extension.

Equipment and operations

The route is operated out of the Arborway Garage in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston. Primary equipment consists of diesel-electric hybrid buses from the New Flyer XDE40 fleet, which are also used on other key routes like the CT2 and 69. Operations are managed through the MBTA's Automated Vehicle Location system, with real-time data available via apps like Transit and the official MBTA website. The route interlines with other services at Kendall/MIT station, facilitating driver shifts and vehicle scheduling. Maintenance and major overhauls are performed at the MBTA Cabot Facility in South Boston.

Ridership and service

Pre-pandemic, the route averaged approximately 1,800 weekday boardings, serving a mix of Massachusetts Institute of Technology affiliates, employees of Kendall Square firms like Biogen and Pfizer, and residents of dense neighborhoods like Union Square. Service levels are highest during peak commuting hours on weekdays, with reduced frequency on evenings and weekends. Ridership patterns are heavily influenced by the academic calendar of institutions like Harvard University and Tufts University, as well as events at the Somerville Theatre. The route functions as an important feeder to the MBTA Red Line and a local circulator within the Somerville street grid.

Future plans

The completion of the MBTA Green Line Extension to Union Square is expected to alter ridership patterns, potentially leading to service adjustments or integration studies by the Central Transportation Planning Staff. The City of Somerville's Somerville Mobility plan and the Cambridge Cycletrack network envision improved bus priority and street design along the corridor. Long-range MBTA documents, such as the Focus40 plan, have examined the potential for enhanced bus network connections in the area. Community advocacy groups like TransitMatters continue to push for more frequent and reliable service on key local routes including the 85.

Category:MBTA bus routes Category:Transportation in Cambridge, Massachusetts Category:Transportation in Somerville, Massachusetts