Ah what can I say about the 111 bus? I take this bus twice a day, to and from work.
Pro's
Schedule - This route is great for timing. Unlike many buses that can have a 15-20 minute (or more) wait time between buses. The 111 runs every 5 minutes or less during rush, 7-12mins mid-day, 10-15 minutes late evening or off peak. This means you won't wait for one to call at all. (Sunday, however, can be a bit slow). This is also one of the few buses that starts and ends outside of normal operating hours for the T. The first bus leaves Woodlawn at 4:50am, and Haymarket at 5:15am. The last bus leaves at 1:30am (waits for last train). So it's always there when you need it.
Frequency - As I said before, this bus route has a very high frequency associated with it. No waiting.
111C - There is one variant of this route called the 111C, which, instead of going all the way to Woodlawn and turning around. The 111C turns around at Cary Square (just north of Bellingham Square), and does a return trip.
Key Bus Route Project - The MBTA this year (2013) announced that they will be doing major improvements to the 111 bus. Relocation of stops, 60' articulate buses, and using such things as ITS and GPS tracking to monitor and adjust when the bus is late/early. (Yes I consider this project a good thing, as it will greatly improve service)
Con's
Popularity - Since this is identified by the MBTA as a "Key Bus Route", it has VERY high ridership. During rush hour, they just can't seem to run enough of them to accommodate all the passengers. Many buses are packed like Sardines in a can. I often will use the NextBus app to see how long the next one is, because if its coming in a minute or two, why wait and stand on a crowded bus when another one will be along shortly.
Schedule - This is a con also. Because it is so popular, this route often has many delays. I've stopped looking at the schedule and solely relying on NextBus, as the schedule is typically wrong, and NextBus is more accurate.
Overcrowding - This is a big deal on this route. As I said above, they just cannot run enough buses and/or keep them on to the schedule. Some afternoons when I get to Haymarket to catch it, the platform is so full of people waiting to get on.
Tobin Bridge - This is the big downfall of this bus. In no traffic, a ride from Bellingham Square to Haymarket can take less than 10 minutes. But because of the bridge painting they are doing on the Tobin Bridge over the next few years, is causing traffic to back up. Now my 10 minute ride becomes a 20-25 minute ride.
Patrons - Yes I have issues with many of the riders of this bus line. First off, getting ON the bus is a challenge when it picks up at Haymarket. There's so many people waiting on the platform usually, other people PUSH you onto the bus. People also will cut you in line and no one lets you have any sort of personal space.
And then of course the whole stroller issue. On the 111 bus, there can be as many as 4-6 strollers on one bus (if their's room). They fold up the seats, and block aisles so no one can get on or off. Its very frustrating.
AND.. my typical complaints about normal T riders... body odor, too much cologne, dirty clothes, talking loud on their cell phone etc etc, all apply here. (And I think in some ways due to the high ridership on this route, it's even worse here).
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Overall I am 'meh' about the 111 bus. However, the frequency of the bus route is great, and I can't really complain, as I've lived where the bus runs every hour on weekends... the 111 is a god send. So I'll still give it three stars. read more
