About Us

The 128 Business Council is a nonprofit public/private partnership formed to help reduce traffic congestion on Route 128 by providing alternative transportation services and information. We also work with state and federal transportation agencies on behalf of member businesses. We are funded by member companies that are committed to the economic vitality of the 128/West area.

The 128 Business Council was the first of Massachusetts' regional Transportation Management Associations (TMA's). Since our inception in 1987, we have worked closely with employers and property owners in the Route 128/West region to "Keep 128 Moving."

Our History

The Council was formed in 1987 in response to a concern by some visionary leaders in the Route 128/West area. These businesses -- the Nelson Companies, GTE Laboratories, and Polaroid -- commissioned a Route 128 Corridor Traffic Study, from Route 2 to Route 20, at a cost of more than $100,000.

The initial companies enlisted then-Governor Michael Dukakis to work with businesses to help manage growth and ensure the future vitality of the 128 area. The Governor requested that one Council be formed to represent all member companies in the 128 area. Hence, the 128 West Transportation Council was born.

To reflect our rapidly growing activities and strong advocacy for our members, we changed the Council's name in 1996 from 128 West Transportation Council to 128 Business Council.

History of Shuttles

The 128 Business Council has been operating commuter shuttles since 1989, when it launched the Alewife Shuttle from the Alewife MBTA Station to many of the office parks in Lexington and Waltham. The extraordinary popularity of the shuttle has led to its growth into six separate routes, including express runs.

The Council's shuttles are subsidized by member companies who wish to have a shuttle stop at their location for their employees' convenience. Companies can take advantage of a tax credit for this service as well as flexible subsidizing programs, and employees can ride free or purchase tickets, depending on amount subsidized by the company.

Since that time, additional shuttles and fixed-route services have been added throughout the Lexington-Waltham-Newton-Needham corridor. These services provide service for thousands of employees at hundreds of local companies.