Media Statement: Rail Vision FMCB Resolution

BOSTON, November 4, 2019 — 

TransitMatters applauds today’s action by the FMCB to advance Regional Rail in Massachusetts. We began this journey in February 2018 with the publication of our Regional Rail report and we are pleased to see its progress from plan to policy. Since the initial release of our report in 2018, we have worked tirelessly to write op-eds, hold outreach events around the region, especially in Gateway Cities, analyze the system line-by-line, and release a follow-up Proof of Concept whitepaper this fall laying out the practical first steps to be taken. We are grateful for the support and feedback we have received from politicians and elected officials, key stakeholders, the Rail Vision group, our media partners who have helped us get the message out, and most importantly our supporters who have written letters and testified at FMCB meetings in support of our initiative. This comprehensive outreach and support is why we are at this critical point today.

We believe that this is an important first step toward transforming our current antiquated Commuter Rail system. We will continue to push hard for a new service delivery model based on frequent all day service, replacing today’s dirty diesel locomotives with more cost effective electric multiple units and providing better service with high level platforms at every station. Today is the beginning of making the vision we laid out in our 2018 Regional Rail plan actionable. We look forward to a close collaboration with the T and other stakeholders to keep this critical initiative on track. 

For media inquiries, please e-mail media@transitmatters.org. 

###

Media Statement: MassINC Regional Rail Poll

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

Courtesy of MassINC Polling Group, 2019

BOSTON, September 26, 2019 — 

Today’s MassINC poll (topline results, crosstabs) of Massachusetts residents affirms that there is overwhelming public support for the Regional Rail vision and business model that TransitMatters has proposed as a better way to provide “Commuter Rail” service throughout Metropolitan Boston and the Commonwealth. It also underscores that the vast majority of Massachusetts residents understand that Regional Rail is vital to their quality of life and to the state’s economic future.  

Our vision for Regional Rail – a fully electrified system with high level platforms and frequent all-day service, which offers trip times faster than presently – is one that can become our reality sooner than later. The Providence Line is already electrified and the Framingham/Worcester line requires substantial near term improvement as mitigation for the upcoming disruption of the reconstruction and relocation of I-90 in Allston. Additionally, the Fairmount Line is the shortest line and travels through an environmental justice community that has campaigned for rapid transit service for decades. These three lines represent the obvious beginnings of what should be a phased implementation of Regional Rail across our current Commuter Rail system. 

Knowing that there is such strong public support, Regional Rail must move from aspiration to implementation during the lifetime of the current administration.  We call on Governor Baker and House and Senate leadership to join us and the overwhelming number of Massachusetts residents who support this transition to a modern, reliable Regional Rail network. We stand ready to roll up our sleeves and provide support to all stakeholders as together, we make this vital modernization program a reality. 

For media inquiries, please e-mail media@transitmatters.org. 

###

Press Release: Regional Rail Proof of Concept

TRANSITMATTERS RELEASES NEW “PROOF OF CONCEPT” REPORT TO ADVANCE REGIONAL RAIL VISION WITH PRACTICAL NEXT STEPS AND $3 BILLION SAVINGS

BOSTON, MA (September 12, 2019) – Today, TransitMatters hosted a launch event for its new report “Regional Rail Proof of Concept: How Modern Operating Practice Adds Capacity to the Current Commuter Rail Network”. The report is a follow up to last year’s Regional Rail report which laid out the vision for a fast, frequent, electrified intercity rail network. That report showed that through embracing world best practice Metro Boston could have a transformative rail network. The new report focuses on how relatively modest changes in both operations and track layout at South Station can have significant benefits to train capacity in the short-term.  

The new report questions the wisdom of the long-planned South Station Expansion (SSX) project as a wasteful $2-3 billion project with little transportation value. The report also calls into question the MBTA’s reliance on bi-level coaches with inefficient passenger flow. The report instead calls for operational changes first: regular “clockface scheduling”, quicker train turn times, and dedicated tracks, all of which also add to the passenger experience and increase capacity at terminal stations. The report also advocates for relatively modest changes to the track layout of the approach to South Station; these changes would allow for faster speeds in the station (up to 50% time savings in some cases) and allow for flexibility by allowing trains to reach all platforms. 

“We believe that Regional Rail has the potential to solve many of the Commonwealth’s biggest challenges- congestion, inequality, Gateway Cities reaching their full potential, housing availability, and climate change. We have to make smart decisions about what projects not to do and start taking steps towards achieving the service improvements necessary to respond to our economy and to rider needs”, said Jarred Johnson, COO of TransitMatters. “Today, we found an extra $3 billion for the Commonwealth to spend on making commuter service across Eastern Massachusetts better. 

The new TransitMatters report, which was authored by a dedicated team of volunteers, is the first in a series of follow-up reports that will focus on each Commuter Rail line, as well as topics like electrification. Today’s report will be available online at regionalrail.net. You can also watch a live stream of the event on the @TransitMatters Twitter account. The TransitMatters team also announced an upcoming press event focused on the second part of the report, “How to Provide Frequent, All-day Service on the Worcester Line”. This event will be hosted in conjunction with the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, Sept 17 at 2 PM at the Worcester Regional Chamber. 

###