Hi, I'm working in MA over the summer and was looking to move in to Lowell and commute to work everyday using the LRTA 14 in the mornings from Kennedy Center. However, I've heard mixed things about the reliability of the LRTA and was hoping for more insight beyond just Google Maps. Is it generally on time, and if I miss the bus, what other options would be available? Thanks in advance!

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WalkerLowellMA t1_jefdcbt wrote on March 31, 2023 at 4:37 PM

#2,537,792

There's an app that shows where the buses are in real time. For a backup, there are a lot of Uber drivers in Lowell.

Some locations in Lowell are very walkable and if you live in those locations, you don't need a car to survive. Besides sidewalks, there is a network of canal and river walkways in Downtown area that are practical for getting between points A and B. A car is a nice luxury for going to the beach and places like Great Brook Farm. There's ZipCar at Kennedy Center and a few other locations in Lowell. Put your street address in https://www.walkscore.com/ and see where your essentials are located. Try Commuter Rail for exploring Boston.

There are some dangerous intersections for pedestrians, but one learns to take a walking route that avoids the more dangerous intersections. 70% of drivers yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. 10% of drivers are dangerously distracted, so one must be careful. Don't wear headphones when you're walking around Lowell. Biking in Lowell IMHO is not practical and not very safe, though there are a lot of dedicated bikeways/trails for recreation in this part of the state.

FunCryptographer1352 OP t1_jeft6f7 wrote on March 31, 2023 at 6:20 PM

#2,542,682

Replying to WalkerLowellMA (#2,537,792)

Great, thanks so much for the detailed response! Regarding the app you mentioned, is that the LRTA bus tracker app? I tried to download it but it only gave me an empty map (it said couldn’t connect to server).

Essarray t1_jefvu7q wrote on March 31, 2023 at 6:38 PM

#2,543,506

I don't have to use them very often, but I've found the busses to be fairly reliable/on schedule. When I do use them it's through Maps.

WalkerLowellMA t1_jefxt0l wrote on March 31, 2023 at 6:51 PM

#2,544,152

Replying to FunCryptographer1352 (#2,542,682)

Try LRTA tech support. Maybe they block IP addresses from outside Merrimack Valley in order to block DDOS and other attacks.