With constant talk of high gas prices and increased concern over environmental degradation, improvement to the Massachusetts rail system should be a top concern on everyoneâs list.
As a frequent user of the commuter rail I feel that some dramatic improvements to the system would create a more enjoyable ride and encourage more residents to commute into Boston or use the rail for other excursions. Tim Murray addresses the issue of the commuter rail and sees the improvement of the system as a benefit to our pockets, the environment and the overall economic atmosphere in the state of Massachusetts. In his view, improvement and expansion of public transportation in Massachusetts would solve the many problems that our state is currently struggling to address. These include: the decrease in population around the Boston area and the lack of affordable housing to name a few. In short, improvements in the rail system would only bring benefits to the state and increase economic growth. So clearly it is time to stop talking only about ideas and start taking some action. On Wednesday July 12th Murray took the commuter rail from Worcester to Boston accompanied by Representative James Eldridge and Representative Jennifer Flanagan. He than testified at the state house in regards to the importance of improving the rail transportation system. He is aware of the needs of this state and its residents and is showing the incentive to meet these needs.
As a public transportation advocate I look forward to soon experiencing a more pleasant experience on my daily commute.
The following link provides some information on the Wednesday event:
http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=135136
I also read Tim’s plans for the commuter rail which can be found here.
It seems a key role of the Lt Gov is to pick an issue or three, and really champion them. Not just “support them” with their words and photo-ops, but to lobby, cajole, encourage, and plead for them.
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I hope he makes public transit — commuter rail and subway/bus — one of his issue or three.
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On a side note, I was thrilled to see the T unveil a “bicycle car” on one of its lines, a line which happens to have a lot of cyclists riding on it (I think it runs to the NW from Boston). They basically took one car, removed the seats on the left hand side of the aisle, and put in bicycle racks. This way, 42 riders can safely park and lock their bicycles on the train, keep out of everyone elses way, and have a more convenient ride to/from the train stations on either side. It was a great move, and I hope it helps encourage more cyclists to ride the rails and more train commuters to ride a bike. Innovations like these will help keep the T full of riders into the 21st century.
While I love the “Assabet River Rail Trail” that was just finished in Hudson/Marlborough – I wonder if it could have been used for a commuter line.
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Our closest connection to the commuter rail is Southborough but the schedule is light and the parking limited. Framingham is actually the better alternative because more trains converge but that still means a lengthly drive to catch the train…
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Just another example of the commuter rail limitations…
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Boston could learn a lot from Chicago, Atlanta (MARTA), and DC.
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Of course, they could learn even more from Europe or Japan…
…and I’m glad to see a post on Tim Murray to quiet those who say this site is Silbert-biased!
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With that said, Andrea Silbert’s plan for economic development including rail is here 😛
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On a comparison, well, they’re not really comparable … Andrea’s is just a couple paragraphs, while Tim’s is much longer and more detailed. That said, they seem to be hitting the same points, although the idea of equipping rail with wi-fi (which I like) may only be in Tim’s plan.
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Any rail wonks out there care to comment on either plan (preferably Tim’s, which is both more detailed, and the subject of this post)? It all sounds good, but I’m no expert.