Oct 2, 2008 5:38 pm US/Eastern
Boston-Worcester Train Service Gets Boost
WORCESTER (WBZ) ―
While the state and national economy may seem derailed, a new deal has been struck to dramatically increase commuter rail service in central Massachusetts and the south coast starting this month.
After riding the train from Worcester to Boston, Sen. John Kerry and Lt. Gov. Tim Murray pulled into South Station to announce the $100 million deal to buy the right of way to tracks from CSX that, as of Oct. 27, will add three Worcester-to-Boston trips and two Boston-to-Worcester trips.
"So there are five immediate trains between Worcester and Boston with the potential of 11 more," says the Lt. Governor.
Included in the deal is the right of way on CSX tracks to build the Fall River-New Bedford line. Owning the right of way allows less interference with passenger trains from CSX freight trains.
Ron Sanders rode the Worcester-Framingham line to hear how regular commuters like Alan Wong of Westborough feel about five new trains being added to that line which now has 10 inbound and 10 outbound trains.
"I believe it will help protect the environment. It will also save a lot of gas, a lot of money," says Wong, who works in Cambridge.
Hilary Bresnahan of Holliston commutes to school in Boston. She's happy to hear about the deal.
"I think it's great. A lot of the trains in the morning are very crowded," she said.
Negotiations with CSX have gone on about four years involving Congressman Jim McGovern, Lt. Governor Murray and Sen. Kerry who says, "This is the future. This is an investment in jobs. This is an investment in quality of life."
More good news about this deal for people beyond commuters on this line, a spokesman for the state transportation department says no new tax dollars will be required, all the money has been approved by the legislature and it won't be affected by cutbacks in the state.
The deal is funded by federal as well as state dollars. It will also allow area companies to ship goods on double-stack rail cars that would otherwise travel in trucks on crowded highways.
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