It is often said the MBTA does not do much to improve its service. The buses are late, passengers complain, and things seemingly stay the same. The bus you rely on to get to class or your after-school job does not run frequently enough, yet the schedule remains the same. For those of you waiting to see improvements, change is on the way.

In January, the MBTA Board of Directors approved the 2008 Service Plan. The plan evaluates each bus and subway route for efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Proposals to expand or reduce service are also presented in the plan. The approved changes will take effect in several phases, starting with the spring 2009 schedule change this month. Here are some of the major changes planned.

• Routes 01 and 66 will see improved and increased service on weekends.

• It took 45 years, but Route 21 will finally operate after 9 p.m. on weeknights and Saturdays. Service is expected to operate at least until midnight.

• Route 28 buses heading to Dudley Station and Mattapan will no longer serve Eliot Square or the Timilty Middle School. Buses will head straight to Dudley Square via Malcolm X Boulevard. Former Route 28 riders near Eliot Square will still be served by Routes 14 and the more direct route may improve reliability.

• An extra bus will be added to Route 16 on Saturday afternoons.

• Route 14 operates on schedule about 42 percent of the time. Though not part of the plan, an attempt to improve reliability on Route 14 will be made with a new revised schedule this spring.

The hope is that many of these changes will take effect this month, in conjunction with the usual quarterly schedule changes. Keep an eye out for the magenta schedules.