Starting this week commuters who use certain MBTA buses will see more buses, more often. This is happening on six routes that run through a number of different communities in and around Boston.

“Just gives me a little bit of wiggle room in planning the commute,” said one rider.

Phase 1 of the MBTA’s much anticipated bus network redesign launched on Sunday. There are new routes serving Chelsea, Everett, Revere, Malden, Somerville, Cambridge, Allston, Brighton and East Boston.

“It’s going to really open up a lot of different routes,” said Jarred Johnson, executive director of TransitMatters.

Johnson said the T’s focus on bus service is critical. He says the change is a big bonus for commuters.

“It allows them to have that turn up and go service,” said Johnson. “Busses coming every 15 minutes or better in some cases, it really means you don’t have to do as much planning to get to where you’re going.”

The MBTA said there are a number of reasons for the redesign including prioritizing riders who depend on bus service, offering more frequent service in busy neighborhoods and making the network simpler and easier to use.

“When you have higher frequency, it really attracts people to use the system,” said MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng. “If you happen to miss one by a minute, you know the next one is right around the corner.”

As the first phase rolls out, the T plans to collect feedback and will make changes if needed.

Here’s what you need to know about Phase 1 service changes: Phase 1 Service Changes | Bus Network Redesign | MBTA

The T hopes to also make progress on its bus lines in addition to its subway network.

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Two Massachusetts men who flew a drone “dangerously close” to Logan International Airport in Boston are facing charges, police say. 

Robert Duffy, 42, of Boston’s Charlestown neighborhood and Jeremy Folcik, 32, of Bridgewater were taken into custody late Saturday night on Long Island, which is located on the approach to the airport, according to the Boston Police Department. 

“The incident began earlier that evening, at 4:30 PM, when a Boston Police Officer specializing in real-time crime surveillance detected an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) operating dangerously close to Logan International Airport,” police said in a statement. “Leveraging advanced UAS monitoring technology, the Officer identified the drone’s location, altitude, flight history, and the operators’ position on Long Island.” 

“Members of the Boston Police Harbor Patrol Unit were dispatched to Long Island and located three individuals inside the decommissioned Long Island Health Campus. Upon attempting to make contact, the suspects fled on foot,” police added. “Two of the three individuals were apprehended and identified as Duffy and Folcik. During the investigation, a drone was discovered inside a backpack carried by Duffy.” 

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Investigators believe the third individual fled the island – which is part of the Boston Harbor Islands – on a “small vessel.”  

Duffy and Folcik are now facing charges of trespassing, although the Boston Police Department noted that more charges and fines could follow.

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There are numerous buildings on the abandoned Long Island near Boston, Mass. (Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Police also said that because of the “serious risks posed by the drone’s proximity to Logan’s airspace,” the Department of Homeland Security, Massachusetts State Police, the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Federal Communications Commission and Logan Airport Air Traffic Control were contacted to help with the response. 

Long Island, located on the approach to Boston’s Logan airport, is shown here in the background on Jan. 5, 2024. (David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

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“The Boston Police Department reminds recreational drone operators of the importance of adhering to Federal Aviation Administration safety guidelines. Operators are prohibited from flying drones over people or vehicles and must be aware of airspace restrictions,” Boston Police added. “Even small drones pose significant risks, including the potential for catastrophic damage to airplanes and helicopters. Near-collisions can cause pilots to veer off course, putting lives and property at risk.” 

The Boston Police Department put out two Missing Person notices over the weekend, asking for the public’s help to find 35-year old Amera Zvekic and 61-year old Elba Portillo.

Allston resident Amera Zvekic 

Police released the notice for Zvekic on Dec. 13. While she is currently homeless, police said she normally keeps in regular contact with her family. However, the notice said family members last saw her three months ago, and last spoke with her in March.

BDP said she is a 5’7” white woman, around 120 pounds, with long brown hair. She has tattoos on her lower back and left arm and has a nose piercing. 

She is usually in or near Southampton Street, Melnea Cass Boulevard, and Government Center, police said. 

Police encouraged anyone who sees Zvekic to call 911, or contact local detectives at 617-343-5619. 

East Boston resident Elba Portillo

Boston police said Portillo was last seen around 9:30 on Dec. 13 around Marion Street while she was going to her workplace on Meridian Street. She did not show up to work, police said. 

According to BPD, Portillo has gone missing in the past and is known to sit along the East Boston waterfront. Police said she might suffer from insomnia and early stages of dementia. 

Police described her as a Hispanic woman who is 5’3’’ and weighs around 140 pounds. She has light skin with brown hair and brown eyes, and was last seen wearing a black jacket, purple sweatpants, and a crossbody brown purse, police said.

Similar to Zvekic, police said anyone who sees Portillo should call 911, or detectives at 617-343-4234.

Eva Levin is a general assignment co-op for Boston.com. She covers breaking and local news in Boston and beyond.