For Immediate Release -- BOSTON, March 18, 2021: TransitMatters today extends its congratulations to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and Keolis for adopting schedules with more frequent service throughout the day. The new schedules will make taking commuter rail easier and more convenient for customers, who will have more options throughout the day.
The change is a step towards the vision that TransitMatters has called for since 2018 when they released Regional Rail for Metropolitan Boston, a report detailing how the MBTA could transform the commuter rail system into an electrified, fast, frequent and reliable 21st century transportation system that would serve all riders, not just nine-to-five commuters.
“This new schedule marks an important shift towards a new business model for our suburban rail network,” said Jarred Johnson, executive director of TransitMatters. “More frequent trains, mid-day service, and late night trains will give riders more options. This is moving our network away from being so focused on commutes and instead takes into account the other 83% of trips and the new nature of work. This new schedule is a move towards more frequent service- which is a key element of our Regional Rail agenda.”
Unfortunately, the schedules still involve service cuts that will prevent ridership from coming back post-pandemic, particularly on weekends. This will create a self-fulfilling prophecy of cuts leading to more cuts as riders switch to driving. Not only will it ultimately cost the MBTA customers and revenue, but our environment will suffer from increased carbon emissions. TransitMatters calls on the MBTA to heed the warning from our congressional delegation about future federal funding and restore weekend service.
In the coming months, TransitMatters will detail a proposal for restoring service further as the Commonwealth emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing the region closer to Regional Rail.
Contact: Ethan Finlan, Regional Rail Campaign Lead: efinlan@transitmatters.info
Jarred Johnson, Executive Director: jjohnson@transitmatters.info