I urge you to read the details of the plan in articles today in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette or the New Bedford Standard Times or the Globe
I’ve been working on rail issues for a long time, because I believe making better use of our rail assets is one of the best things we can do for the long-term health of our economy and our environment.
When people have frequent, reliable public transit options, they leave their cars at home, easing congestion and pollution. Expanded freight rail service takes trucks off our roads, with similar benefits for air quality and traffic.
Commuter rail also helps to cross-pollinate our economy, by linking job centers with varied and affordable housing options. And since we’ve piloted wi-fi internet access on the Worcester line, it’s enhanced the commuting experience even more. (Look for expansion of wi-fi access to other rail lines soon.)
There is no doubt that we are facing some challenging economic and fiscal times in Massachusetts, and our administration will deal with it. At the same time, however, we can not afford to pull back on strategic investments like this rail agreement, which will pay big dividends over the long-term for our Commonwealth.
It’s been nearly two years of tough negotiations with CSX to get to this day, but I believe the results are well-worth the effort. I want to thank all who were involved in this project so far, and I will keep our administration focused on the hard work now before us to implement this agreement.
As someone who lives in Worcester and rides commuter rail fairly often, this is really welcome news we have been waiting a long time for.
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p>Kudos to you, Lt. Gov. Murray, Congressman McGovern and Senator Kerry for your persistence on this issue over all these years.
Lowell Lowell Lowell Lowell!
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p>(Have I been Lowell-centric enough yet?)
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p>Still waiting for New Hampster to expand the Lowell line to Manchester. That would be a great boon (especially to the Manchester airport!) Then again, that really doesn’t have too much to do with MA’s side of the bargain…
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p>But this is great news! It’s hard to build new track in concrete-jungle eastern MA, so I’d guess this is one of the rare ways to expand service at all. And the upcoming wifi will be huge. (No lost productivity in the commute!)
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p>My husband takes the train to Boston to work, and while the commute is rather long (by car OR train) it meets our daily needs right now. Now, if only it were a high-speed train…now THAT would be something…
100 years ago, Pablo could have walked out his front door, hopped a streetcar, and ridden from Arlington to Lowell. Today, he can get a bus to North Billerica, but heading to Lowell requires a transfer from the MBTA to LRTA at the Burlington Mall.
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p>Part of the reason for this problem is the Baltic inspired patchwork of little regional transit authorities. With the patchwork, you get little towns with little shuttle buses that stay within municipal boundaries, and bigger bus lines that stop at the end of transit districts.
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p>Why can’t we have one agency like New Jersey? NJ Transit provides a statewide network of trains, light rail, and buses. Why can’t we have Mass Transit?
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Great American streetcar scandal
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p>The patchwork of little regional transit authorities is actually a big improvement on the vacuum created when the regional bus companies were disbanded.
do each of these small cities/large towns break even on their transit? Could the MBTA do the same with their current labor or other contracts?
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p>I agree, I’d love to see a revamped MBTA resulting in a wider network. But, I don’t want an MBTA takeover of the LRTA to result in worse subway/streetcar/bus service in the areas it’s already serving.
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p>Given the cost to society for building more roads, repairing the people and autos involved in crashes, and just plain sitting in traffic, you’d think Americans would be falling over themselves to get more government funding of mass transit.
One thing I have been wondering about is whether there are available tracks that are not Boston-bound. I would love to see public transit develop, whether rail or bus, between and among cities other than Boston. For example, Worcester’s Union Station could be a hub in its own right with direct trains to Fitchburg/Leominster, Springfield, Lowell/Lawrence, and Fall River/New Bedford. I realize this requires the presence of tracks, but just a thought.
Housing has been less expensive in the Gardner/Lancaster area and the schools and Wachusett Community college are excellent. Every legislator from that area has been fighting to improve public transit into Central Massachusetts and Northern Middlesex [think Hopkinton and Marlboro!].
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p>Rail is far more economical than truck or bus for either moving cargo or people – Kudos to Lt. Gov Murray on this one! And welcome, Lt. Governor, to BMG.
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p>[Wonder if any of those “Rails to trials” will be “trails to rails?” – they did also preserve the Right of Way]
Here’s the thing though…
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p>while cost of gas is certainly a factor in commuting to Boston, it seems that time and ability to park are other huge factors. I suspect that if the highways were smooth flowing and parking was ample and free in Boston, the 4,000 – 5,000 daily commuters from Worcester to Boston would be reduced in number.
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p>Do similar conditions exist between Worcester and the other places you mentioned? They’re all right on the highway, so cars have something like a straight line. Generally speaking, parking in MA cities not named Boston is neither particularly expensive nor elusive. If you take away traffic, tolls, and parking expense and elusiveness from the reasons why people take the train, will they still take the train at all? Additionally, they still have to get from the train station in Springfield/Lowell/Fall River to their destination, as well as from Worcester’s Union Station to their destination — in areas which are far less dense and have far less local public transit than Boston.
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p>I’d love for our society to evolve to the point where people are taking rail [or even buses] between the destinations you mentioned… but I just don’t see how either of the two endpoints are ready to get people from the train station to/from their destinations, nor do I see the incentive since it remains so easy to drive instead. I hope that each of those cities are changing their zoning and planning to allow for denser housing and workplaces near the potential bus/train stations, to allow for safer, more comfortable sidewalks and streetscapes, to make for safe cycling infrastructure and facilities, etc. Hopefully, encouraging the Boston-Worcester route will result in improvements around Union Station, which will make it more attractive for other expansions.
During the last statewide election, Tim Murray was part of a candidate debate in Framingham. That day he spoke about his ideas for improving commuter rail and what that could mean to the state’s economy. His wi-fi internet access on the commuter trains seemed like a great idea, but I wondered at the time if it would ever really happen. Glad to see that, as Lt. Governor, Murray has followed through and is turning a good idea into a reality. I can’t wait to see the wi-fi installed on all trains out of North Station, as well.
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p>Parking is still a problem at many stops…we will not increase the ridership until we find ways to expand parking (affordable and otherwise) at the stations. I know they are working to do this but it is a challenge.
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p>Lastly, if Murray got CSX to finally move on the freight line issue, he deserves a medal…they are a tough and stubborn bunch…that would be a huge breakthrough for the Commonwealth.
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This is reason 1 why I voted for you. Congratulations on a job well done.
I joined a number of BMGers [including Rye] for dinner before the National Anthem fund raiser concert, and by luck sat down next to John Walsh.
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p>While chatting, I told him that I was frustrated that the Democrats either (a) haven’t been getting enough done, or (b) haven’t done a good enough job telling the rank and file that they’ve been working hard on our behalf. I specifically mentioned Tim Murray and how I was thrilled he was interested in commuter rail but nothing seemed to be getting done.
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p>Now, this! Ab-fab!
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p>Like all transit improvements, this isn’t a panacea. But, it suggests that we can get it done, and that we can keep moving in the right direction with respect to rail.
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p>A few questions though:
* Which budget is coughing up the $100M? Sure, some will come from the Feds [more if Obama is elected I’d bet, both because Dems advocate more for public transit and because the national rail hub is Chicago], but some will be from the state. Will it be MA or MBTA?
* How will the expansion impact the MBTA budget? They should get more revenue from ticket sales, but they also will have more track to maintain.
* How is the rail infrastructure valued? How do they come up with $100 million?
* Is eminent domain ever a legitimate way for the Commonwealth to improve rail transit? I’m not suggesting that Mass eminent domain neighborhoods to put down new line — I’m wondering if Mass could eminent domain the rail lines themselves if the owner [CSX, et al] refused to sell, preventing the MBTA from running more trains, running faster trains, etc.
As along time commuter, (Leominster to Boston and back, every working day the past 9 years…) I applaud each and every one of your efforts. Thanks ever so much!
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p>As a long time commuter, I’d also like to bring your attention to two little noted issues.
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p>First, the air quality, over long commuting distances is often poor. This needs to be addressed. Strange smells and the crowd of people often make for a distinctly uncomfortable ride. If you’re going to provide people the option to ride greater distances, then those distances need to be made bearable. Not to mention implications for health.
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p>The second issue is related. It is an issue, in fact, that is not large but one that might (I think) be preventing broader adoption of long range commuting. It’s a simple issue, but one that isn’t often (it seems to me) considered…
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p>The seats are too small.
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p>While this might seem a trivial issue, I’m sure you’ve noted, in your travels, that discomfort increases with the length of time travelled. Attempts to use any but the tiniest laptops are often frustrated by the elbows and baggage of your nearest (and I do mean ‘nearest’ neighbors).
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p>As commuting distant increases, the need for comfortable seating also increases. As it stands now, extending the lines has wrought great benefit, but the seats are still just slabs of filling designed to be used no more than 20 minutes at a time…. which is great for the first 20 minutes of the commute. This can become a discomfort after that and a horror show in the event of a delayed train. (I’ve spent 3 1/2 straight hours in one of those seats once… Those hours was one of the worst weeks of my life =-)
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p>No doubt. But there is a ‘tipping point’ where cost and comfort become larger over longer distances. Think about it: the buses and subway trains makes provisions for people to stand between stops… but you wouldn’t ask anybody to stand all the way from Worcester to Boston, would you?
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p>Frankly, if I could afford it, I’d drive, and no amount of “frequent and reliable” would sway me from using my car. Comfortable seating, with access to shelving and/or trays for the use of my laptop, however, would sway me. It’d be a big selling point. The present lack of proper seating and amenities, I believe, may be preventing other people, who do have a choice, from using the trains more. I have to spend around 3 hours a day on the train, for financial reasons, but I’d prefer to spend it in some kind of productive comfort rather than on the present cramped waiting game I play now. For those for whom commuting is an actual choice, the comfort and flexibility of a car is a big big draw.
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p>Just something to think about.
I think this is a great development, though I’m a little worried about CSX moving out of Allston to Western Mass. I don’t know what the drayage patterns are out of Allston Landing. I do know that there seems to be (from driving by there) a lot of outbound garbage. Would this deal mean that we’d be sending our trash further out (Framingham? Worcester? Palmer?) before it got on a train? Seems like this means more trucks on the road unless the new double-stack trains are going to be unloaded in Southie, Somerville, Everett or some other place with existing yards.
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p>Of course, it’s no secret that CSX has wanted out of Allston for a while now and Harvard wants in, so I guess that was going to happen regardless of any deal with the state.
Congratulations! Rail transit will be critical for us as we move forward. Kate
There are already frequent rush-hour delays at South Station due to lack of open platforms. Adding more trains will make the situation worse.
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p>It is really important that when the Post Office moves away that some of the space currently occupied by the postal building is used for additional track space. Currently South Station has 13 tracks; it really should be expanded to something like 20.
I like the LG, I think he would make a great G. But $100 million to buy the rail lines? As the Governor announces a $223 million shortfall?
No wonder I failed math last fall.
and you’re ignoring how much the Feds will chip in. That doesn’t make it “free”, but it should give you a little sweetness for swallowing the pill.
The agreement announced today between the Commonwealth and CSX is truly historic. For almost as long as I’ve been in Congress, we have tried time and again to master the difficult task of balancing the growing public demand for increased passenger rail service with the importance of freight rail operations in Massachusetts.
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p>The difference this time frankly has been the Task Masters — Governor Deval Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray. They succeeded here where others have failed and deserve to be congratulated for this extraordinary achievement. From the very first day they took office, they have demonstrated both by word and deed that they are committed to improving public transportation in this state and to rebuilding our infrastructure.
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p>The determined leadership of our Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray is as much responsible for this agreement as anything. He brought to the table not only a firm grasp of the rail service issues from his years as Mayor of Worcester but also the kind of fervent devotion to the larger cause that only comes from knowing personally what this deal will mean to the people of his beloved hometown and other cities like Fall River and New Bedford.
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p>I have been proud of my friend Tim Murray on countless occasions both before and since becoming Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth. However, the agreement we celebrate today stands apart in an already remarkable young career in public service.
Congressman Jim McGovern
I hope everyone in Massachusetts realizes how lucky we are to have a Lt. Governor who works so tirelessly to serve his constituents. He has the vision, the drive, the compassion and the leadership to move us ever forward. Tim Murray, you are the BEST!
I was reading that rail is infinitely more efficient than trucks over the highway.
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p>I commuted to work from Kingston to S Station for two years. I was on the first train rolling out of Kingston on day one. Loved it. Only gripe I have/had is that the seating is terribly uncomfortable, overcrowding and not enough conductors to collect fares. I knew people who never paid a dime because they gamed the system by taking certain trains at certain stops and certain times.
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p>Always a scam.
Both my children go to private school so transportation is my responsibility. They are able to board the train about 4 miles from our home, ride for two stops, where they are picked up by the school for the last few miles of their daily commute. The reverse happens every afternoon. This saves us about 35 miles of round trip driving per day. The trains are clean, the conductors are great, and my children appreciate the feeling of independence their commute by train affords them. Win Win.
is that it requires multiple modes [it’s rare that the actual source and destination is at the rail yard], and that means you’ve got to get the freight onto a truck. It’s not impossible [it happens every day], but you get an extra cost there, in both time and money.
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p>Making matters worse, rail companies are not particularly good about scheduling freight to get from S to D quickly. Cars can sit in rail yards for days, or go via intermediate cities which aren’t really in between. Norfolk Southern finally started using legitimate operations research algorithms to improve on this a few years ago, but the industry as a whole isn’t very good at this.
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p>So, if you’ve got a retail business which is interested in minimizing their inventory [to reduce their overhead], they need to be able to get product to their store as quickly as possible after ordered. Trucks are more reliable, though often more expensive. If you’re running a warehouse [either as a middleman or as Wal*Mart] you face the same problem: your customers place big, bursty orders and you need to make sure you’ve got enough to fill the order without having too much extra. Here again, you don’t want to risk your order taking too long, which means your customers cancel their orders.
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p>Rail’s problem is speed: the 50 mph speed limit injures them, and their own disabilities w.r.t. efficient routing just kills them. Rail needs serious work to fit with the JIT (just in time) model most businesses are using.