New, Expanded MWRTA Routes Coming In February

NATICK, MA — MWRTA riders might notice a few changes coming to routes between Natick and Marlborough this month. The transit agency is expanding service on several lines, and adding a new experimental Saturday route to the Woodland Green Line station in Newton.

Here's a look at what's changing this month:

Route 4 North — MWRTA's most popular route links south Framingham to Shopper's World and the Natick Mall. Beginning Feb. 10., a second bus will serve the route, which means service will increase to every 30 minutes rather than every 60 minutes.

Routes 2, 7, and 11 — MWRTA will extend service for each route from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. weekdays. Route 2 serves Mass Bay Community College, Nobscot, and Saxonville in Framingham. Route 11 runs along Route 135 between Framingham and Natick, and serves the Natick Mall and downtown Natick. Route 7 connects Framingham and downtown Marlborough, buses will be able to squeeze in an extra trip after the usual final trip at 6:20 p.m.

New Saturday route — This new route, set to start next month, will start at the Halstead Apartments near the Mass Pike interchange along Route 9 and end at the Woodland MBTA Green Line station. This new route is a hybrid of routes 1 and 9, and will be the first direct connection to the Green Line for riders on the west side of Framingham.