The MBTA is rolling out ‘major’ bus route changes. Here’s what to know.

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The changes will begin Sunday, Dec. 15.

The MBTA will begin Phase 1 of its Bus Network Redesign, a project to improve the efficiency and frequency of bus routes, on Dec. 15 with six routes that pass through Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Somerville, Cambridge, Allston, Brighton, and East Boston. 

Service will change on six bus routes — the 86, 104, 109, 110, 116, and 117 — and four routes — the 104, 109, 110, and 116 — will become what the MBTA is calling “Frequent Bus Routes.” Buses on those routes will arrive “every 15 minutes or better” during service hours, the agency said. 

The changes will also bring new connections to the Red, Orange, Green, and Blue Lines, as well as Logan Airport. 

Route 86: Reservoir – Harvard Square 

Currently, Route 86 begins in Brookline’s Reservoir area and runs to Charlestown’s Sullivan Square. With the service changes, the new route will be shorter, running only from Reservoir to Harvard Square in Cambridge. 

It will operate from roughly 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily, and though it’s the only route on the list not being upgraded to a Frequent Bus Route, the MBTA said the buses on the route will run more often midday, in the evenings, and on weekends. During weekday service, the 86 bus should arrive every 11 to 15 minutes during peak hours and every 15 to 30 minutes during off-peak hours. On Saturdays and Sundays, buses can be expected to arrive every 25 to 30 minutes, officials said.

Riders who want to continue from Harvard Square to Sullivan Square can take the 109 bus, which is replacing the rest of the route that the 86 once took. It’s one of the buses that is supposed to arrive at least every 15 minutes. 

Route 104: Malden Center – Logan Airport

Route 104 today runs from Malden Center through Everett to Sullivan Square. Starting Dec. 15, it will begin with the same route from Malden Center to Everett Square, but instead of going south to Sullivan Square, it will go east to the airport, passing through Chelsea and East Boston. It will terminate at the Airport stop on the Blue Line.

Riders traveling toward Sullivan Square beyond Everett Square can transfer to Route 109, the same one that is replacing the Sullivan section of Route 86. Riders traveling toward Malden Center between Sullivan Square and Everett Square can take Route 109 to Broadway at Everett Square and then transfer to Route 104 toward Malden Center. 

Route 104 will also become a Frequent Bus Route, with service from about 4:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. daily. Peak hours will see buses every 12 to 15 minutes, and off-peak hours will be only a minute behind, with buses every 13 to 15 minutes. Buses will also arrive every 13 to 15 minutes on weekends. 

Route 109: Linden Square – Harvard Square 

Route 109 is going to be another Frequent Bus Route, with weekday service from about 4:30 a.m. to 1:45 a.m. and weekend service from about 4:45 a.m. to 1:45 a.m. Buses should arrive every 10 to 15 minutes on weekdays and every 12 to 15 minutes on weekends. 

The route currently runs through Everett from Linden Square in Malden to Sullivan Square in Charlestown, mostly along Broadway. It will continue to cover Linden Square to Sullivan Square, but will be extended past Sullivan to reach Harvard. This extension will replace the existing Route 86, which is being shortened.

The extension will provide a new direct connection from Everett to the Red Line in Harvard Square and to Green Line stops in Somerville.

Route 110: Wonderland Station – Wellington Station

Route 110 becoming a Frequent Bus Route means buses are slated to arrive every 15 minutes during service from around 5 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. daily.

Other than that, the route won’t change, aside from a few modified bus stop locations in Revere Center. The bus will continue to provide crosstown service through Everett and Revere. It goes from Wellington, on the Orange Line, to Wonderland, on the Blue Line via Broadway, Chelsea Street, Ferry Street, Elm Street, Park Avenue, Central Avenue, Beach Street, and North Shore Road. 

Routes 116 and 117: Wonderland Station – Maverick Station

Route 116 currently provides service from Wonderland station to Maverick station via Revere Street, Broadway, Bellingham Square, and Meridian Street. Route 117, also from Wonderland to Maverick, runs on a similar route, with the exception of the final section on Beach Street near Wonderland.

These routes will be combined into one, following the same route the 116 uses today, and becoming a Frequent Bus Route. Route 117 will be discontinued.

Service on the new Route 116 will run from roughly 4:15 a.m. to 1:45 a.m. each day. Peak buses will come every six to ten minutes, while off-peak buses will arrive every eight to 15 minutes. On Saturdays, they will run around every 12 to 15 minutes, and on Sundays, around every 14 to 15 minutes.

Riders on Central Avenue and Beach Street can use Route 110 and transfer to Route 116 at Broadway at Park Avenue in Revere or at Wonderland. Riders going between Maverick and Revere Center who want to access stops on Central Avenue and Beach can do the same: use Route 116 and transfer to Route 110 at Broadway at Central Avenue.