Politics & Government

Boston RMV Branches Could Close Under New Proposal

MassDOT is considering a plan to consolidate RMV branches, which could include a shut down of three near the Boston area.

By Mary MacDonald and Bret Silverberg

State transportation officials have begun to envision a faster-moving, modernized version of the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles system, but the proposed changes could include closures of three nearby branches.

RMV branches in Watertown, Roslindale and Revere would be shut down, according to “Modernizing the Registry to Motor Vehicles,” a Massachusetts Department of Transportation plan unveiled at a board of directors meeting July 17.

Find out what's happening in Fenwaywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The plan would consolidate the now 30 offices that provide RMV services into 16. The model would only continue to keep open the Boston - located at 630 Washington St. - Greenfield, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket branches, shuttering the others and moving instead toward opening 12 regional centers at the following locations:

Barnstable, Braintree, Lowell, Leominster, New Bedford, Burlington, Framingham, Springfield, Raynham, Haverhill, Worcester and Pittsfield.

Find out what's happening in Fenwaywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The consolidation, conceptual at this point, is designed to increase efficiency and improve customer service, including wait times. The proposed regional centers would place the RMV offices into larger buildings with more desks and employees than the branch offices, according to a report on the proposed consolidation.

"[The plan is a] concept for the future of the RMV including improving technology, developing new third party partnerships and exploring a move toward branch regionalization in order to better serve the customer. Branch closures or new openings are not imminent," said DOT spokeswoman Sara Lavoie on Monday. "This is a concept that is years away from reality. It was presented to the Board of Directors on Wednesday (July 17) and it was well received and further analysis will be done on the regionalization concept."

As part of the modernization plan, the RMV would phase out some in-person functions, including registration renewals.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Fenway