So, the 96 busline into Davis was fine this a.m. I was on the one that leaves Medford Square around 8:23 a.m. It terminates at Davis and we disembarked at the usual stop in front of Tedeschi's. The driver told me that the ones that go the full route to Harvard do have to follow a detour.

Coming back the other way (Harvard to Davis and beyond) shouldn't be a problem, since the bus is on Highland at that point as it skirts round the square.