MBTA's Silver Line Expands To Chelsea

The MBTA's first new service in 11 years got up and running this past weekend.

The T's Silver Line bus now goes to Chelsea. The $57 million effort launched Saturday.

The SL3 line links Chelsea to South Station in Boston, with stops at the airport in East Boston and in the Seaport District. The MBTA says the ride between Chelsea and South Station should take between 20 and 30 minutes.

There are four new Silver Line stops in Chelsea. The buses travel in bus-only lanes in Chelsea.

MBTA General Manager Luis Ramirez rode the SL3 on Saturday.

Chelsea City Council President Damali Vidot says she welcomes the project but also is concerned that the Silver Line stops were built away from higher density, low-income neighborhoods.

"And I wonder, are we catering to existing Chelsea long-term residents or are we catering to the residents that the developers would like to see in Chelsea?" she said.

With reporting by WBUR's Newscast Unit