Three distinct terminal points currently mark the end of Route 70 trips in Waltham, according to Waltham Times.
Most buses finish their runs at the Market Place Drive Shopping Center, while others terminate at Waltham Center or Cedarwood.
The MBTA is holding a public hearing over Zoom on Monday, Nov. 16, 2026, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., as reported by Waltham Times. This virtual session gives residents from Waltham, Watertown, Newton, Arlington, Cambridge, Belmont, and Needham a platform to offer feedback on proposed transit overhauls.
Under the 2022 Bus Network Redesign plan, all Route 70 trips were originally slated to run exclusively from Waltham Center to Kendall Square. This adjustment would have forced riders heading toward Market Place Drive Shopping Center to switch to another local route at Waltham Center.
To address rider convenience, the MBTA now proposes extending Route 70 so that every trip continues serving Market Place Drive Shopping Center. Waltham Center will instead operate as a central transfer hub connecting multiple local bus routes to the more frequent Route 70 service.
Express routes 553, 554, 556, and 558 serving Newton Corner are slated for simplification alongside increased midday and weekend service. Route 553 will become Route 53 and travel from Woodland to either Market Place Drive Shopping Center or Waltham Center.
Route 554 will change to Route 54 and extend its path from Waverley to Arlington Center. Meanwhile, Routes 556 and 558 will be renamed Route 56 and Route 58, running between Waltham Center and Watertown Yard.
Route 59 will operate between Watertown Yard and Needham Junction with higher frequency. Route 61 will connect Waltham Center to North Waltham with expanded service options.
Spanish and American Sign Language interpretation will be provided during the virtual meeting. Interested participants can complete registration through the MBTA public hearing schedule on Zoom.
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