Better transportation needed in parts of Hub

Although West Roxbury and Roslindale are parts of Boston, they often get lost in the greater conversation around transportation. These communities lack the transportation amenities that are readily available in nearly all other parts of Boston, plus many of its suburbs, notably frequent and seven-day-aweek Commuter Rail service and/or rapid transit service.

West Roxbury Center and Roslindale Village have the potential to be cultural destinations, just like Brookline Village, Coolidge Corner, Newton Centre and Wellesley Square. The lack of access to rapid transit and frequent service is putting these prideful business communities at risk and limiting the prosperity of these neighborhoods.

Although it would be great to have the Orange Line extend to West Roxbury, that is not likely to happen soon. Presently, the commuter rail schedule is jagged Monday through Friday, runs every two hours on Saturday and on Sunday and most holidays, no service at all. Bus service is sparse as well, especially on the weekends. The high density and ridership exists in these communities. Ridership cannot increase if changes in frequency of service are not being made to give residents more confidence. It is unrealistic and unfair to expect people to drop their car habit in a matter of weeks, when the train hasn’t been running effectively in this section of the city for decades.

In the short term, commuter rail service that runs more frequently (like the Fairmount Line) with an equitable fare and seven-day-a-week service would be a good start. Additional service that ends at West Roxbury Station to avoid increased noise in Needham would go a long way for both Roslindale and West Roxbury. — Serghino Rene, West Roxbury