MBTA Unveils Plans to Convert Route 714 Flag Stops to Designated Bus Stops in Hull
Select Board hears presentation on bus service improvements and approves new pay-by-phone parking system
HULL - April 23 - The MBTA presented comprehensive plans to enhance Route 714 bus service in Hull at the April 23 Select Board meeting, focusing on converting the current flag stop system to designated bus stops and improving connections to other transportation modes.
The Route 714 bus line, one of only two remaining flag stop routes in Massachusetts, allows riders to wave down the bus anywhere along the route rather than waiting at designated stops. MBTA officials explain this practice is being phased out to comply with federal guidelines.
"As part of that, and as a state agency, the MBTA is aligning Route 714 and 716, the only two routes in our system, with the rest of the network and thus phasing out flag stops," said Aria, a representative from the MBTA.
The proposed project would create 44 fixed bus stops within Hull, including eight on DCR-managed roadways. The stops would be implemented in phases, with the first phase focusing on the southern end of town, including Town Hall and the beach area.
"What we consider full build and inaccessible, there's about four stop locations that would require quite significant sidewalk work," Aria explained. "There are three locations where it requires some tweaks, but technically we could go ahead and start working with it as it is today."
The MBTA conducted a survey between September 2024 and January 2025, receiving over 200 responses from Hull residents about the bus service. The survey revealed that 75 percent of respondents consider the 714 route necessary for their travel, and 80 percent would use the service more if there was greater frequency.
"More than 80 percent of customers said that they would use the service more if there was more frequency," said Alexander, Director of Alternative Service Planning. "Over 70 percent said that they would use the 714 more if the destinations were improved."
The MBTA is pursuing grants to potentially add a second bus to the route, which would allow for service every 30 minutes instead of the current hourly schedule and enable connections to the commuter rail station at Nantasket Junction.
"Potentially we could go even farther and cut the frequencies down to every 30 minutes, basically doubling the amount of service, opening up the doors for us to run to the commuter rail station at Nantucket Junction and really make those connections even more frequent," Aria said.
Select Board member Jason McCann expressed concern about how residents who have used the flag stop service for years would adapt to the change.
"On the individual level and our passionate riders who ride the 714, there are gonna be some people who will have a hard time transitioning from the flag service," McCann said. "If you're somebody who has for many, many years gone down one of the alphabet streets and has done a 10-minute walk and can just easily hail, and particularly if you're somebody with limited mobility or accessibility issues, and the response is, well, it's gonna be a 20-minute walk, but the stop will be safer. That's kind of conflicting for people."
The Select Board voted unanimously to support advancing the project.
In other business, the Select Board approved a new pay-by-phone parking system to replace traditional meters throughout town. The system will offer two-hour parking for $2 in business districts, with the option to extend for another two hours.
Hull Police Chief John Dunn explained that residents with town parking stickers will receive 30 minutes of free parking in the designated zones.
"If you had the resident sticker, my CSOs and my officers out there would see that in these specific areas," Dunn said. "They'll then be able to see walking through, well, this car isn't in the area, but oh, they have a town sticker. They get the first 30 minutes where they don't pay for it."
The pay-by-phone system will operate from May 1 to October 31 in most areas, with the exception of the Helen Street commuter lot, which will operate year-round. Residents with parking stickers will park for free at the Helen Street lot, while non-residents will pay $2 per day.
The system is expected to launch the week before Memorial Day.
Other items discussed at the meeting included:
* Approval of an application for 350 parking spaces at HRA lots
* Announcement of a new online system for resident parking stickers, available beginning May 1
* Approval of the Hull Lifesaving Museum's application for Bastille Day on July 13 at Fort Revere Park
* Updates on the Nantasket Avenue Seawall project, which will remobilize on April 28
* Announcement of the upcoming Town Meeting on May 5 at Hull High School, which will have food trucks and an interactive online warrant
Town Manager Jennifer Constable announced that seven respondents have submitted applications for the Owner's Project Manager position for the Town Hall relocation project, with interviews to be scheduled soon.