Western MA Commuter Rail Not Yet A Reality

(SOURCE:  New England Public Radio)

Massachusetts officials announced Wednesday the state has an agreement to purchase the right-of-way for nearly fifty miles of railroad running between Greenfield and Springfield. Amtrak service is scheduled to begin late this year on the line, but  a more regular commuter service is far from a done deal.

Several Massachusetts officials including Governor Deval Patrick pulled into Greenfield on a special train from North Adams to announce the deal between the state and Pan-Am Railways.  This could open the door to a north-south commuter rail service in the future. Department of Transportation head Richard Davey says while there is money to refurbish old train cars the state already owns, there is still one key ingredient missing to make this a reality.

“When you’re talking about a service over a long period of time, on an annual basis, you have to come up with some revenue,” Davey says. “So at this point we don’t have it, but I don’t think it’s that much either. We’re coming up with some calculations to give a sense to the legislature and the next administration what it would be.”

State officials are targeting December 29 as the day Amtrak’s Vermonter service will begin using the line. To start, one train is expected to run in each direction daily

Gov Patrick Proposes $12 Billion in Transportation Improvements

(SOURCE:  TRAINS Newswire)

BOSTON – Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick has proposed a package of $12 billion in transportation improvements with strong investment levels for rail and transit, the National Association of Railroad Passenger reports.

“We invest in our transportation infrastructure because roads, rail and bridges create a foundation that supports private sector investment and expanded opportunity for all our residents,” Patrick says.

Rail and transit projects outlined in the plan include:

• $1.3 billion to complete the Green Line Subway Extension, providing full service to Somerville and Medford by 2020.
• $835 million to begin the $1.3 billion replacement program of 43-year old Red line vehicles and 31-year old Orange Line vehicles, as well as improvements to tracks, signals and systems.
• $254 million for South Coast commuter rail to Fall River and New Bedford via Stoughton. It includes early action improvements to ties, signal systems and bridges, and beginning preliminary engineering for the project.
• $252 million for implementation of diesel multiple unit service on the Fairmount Line and expansion of the Silver Line to Chelsea.
• $34 million for the Housatonic Railroad, including the rehabilitation of track and signals.
• $31 million to complete track and signal projects necessary to restore permanent, seasonal Cape Flyer passenger service to Cape Cod.