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Council asks staff to work with MBTA and schools after reports of harassment on Route 78 bus
Summary
After complaints from riders about crowding, shoving and harassment on the Route 78 bus near Harvard Square, the council directed staff to coordinate with the MBTA, transit police and local schools to identify problematic student groups and engage with school leaders and students.
The Cambridge City Council voted to ask the city manager to coordinate with the MBTA, transit police and school officials after reports that some riders — including seniors — experienced crowding, harassment and shoving on the Route 78 bus.
The order asks staff to identify which high schools the students in question attend, to reach out to school leaders and to work with them and students on behavior and safety messaging. The council emphasized outreach to schools and students as a first strategy and added a set of suggested steps including increased presence of transit police, additional MBTA staffing at affected stops and training for bus operators about de‑escalation and reporting.
Council members said engaging schools may be the most effective way to change behavior and that they prefer educational approaches before enforcement. The council amended the order to place the school outreach item first among listed action steps.
The council adopted the amended order by vote; the recorded result was seven votes in favor with two members absent. Staff will identify the schools involved, reach out to administrations and propose a schedule for school‑based engagement and MBTA coordination.
