MBCR

Media Statement: MA Senate Climate Bill

Media Statement: MA Senate Climate Bill

TransitMatters is thrilled that the Massachusetts Senate passed a number of amendments to Senate Bill 2819, “An Act Driving Climate Policy Forward”, to make the bill more equitable and comprehensive.

Action Alert: Support Regional Rail in the CIP!

Action Alert: Support Regional Rail in the CIP!

The MBTA’s lack of a clear commitment to Commuter Rail electrification in the CIP is troubling. Although there are line items related to Regional Rail studies, new vehicles, and even the new maintenance facility, no explicit commitments to Phase 1 of Regional Rail or electric multiple units leave us disappointed.

TransitMatters releases new report on modernizing the Newburyport/Rockport Line

BOSTON, March 10, 2021 — TransitMatters released a major new case study today on modernizing the Newburyport/Rockport Line for Regional Rail: fast, frequent, all-day electrified train service.

 “A Better Newburyport/Rockport Line” details how $460 million of public investment can dramatically reduce travel times and improve frequency on this line, already the Commuter Rail system’s third busiest, improving access to the North Shore communities of the “Environmental Justice Corridor” from Everett to Beverly, and to adjacent jobs, which grew by 14 percent from 2011 to 2017.

Travel times to Newburyport will fall by 18 minutes and to Rockport by 23, while Chelsea, Lynn, and Salem will get subway-like service with trains to Boston every 10 minutes or better. “These travel time savings and frequency increases will be a huge boost to the quality of life of Newburyport/ Rockport Line riders” said Jarred Johnson, the Executive Director of TransitMatters.

These faster trip times are possibly through electrification, which also reduces local pollution and makes service more reliable. Other gains come from step-free “high-level platforms” that reduce boarding times and improve accessibility for people with limited mobility.

“Residents and workers north of Boston and along the North Shore deserve an affordable train ride that does not pollute their communities,” said Staci Rubin, a Senior Attorney at the Conservation Law Foundation. “Electrification of the Newburyport/Rockport Line must occur by 2024. We need permanent, affordable, subway-like fare options at least between Boston and Lynn to expand transit access for residents of environmental justice populations.”

The report proposes several infill stations in Somerville, Everett, Revere, and Salem, and stresses the importance of free, coordinated bus connections and pedestrian improvements near stations. TransitMatters further advocates restoring the Peabody Branch to Danvers and an extension to Downtown Newburyport. These additions will provide more fast, reliable and frequent service to even more North Shore residents and workers.

State Senator Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn) praised the proposal, saying: “This TransitMatters report outlines a clear and transformative plan to electrify the Newburyport-Rockport line in a way that will reduce travel times, protect our environment, and expand ridership. We must urgently put this plan into action to ensure that all communities -- particularly those within the Environmental Justice Corridor -- have access to a more efficient, reliable and affordable Commuter Rail system.”

For more information, read the report, and visit regionalrail.net for additional analysis. ###

Contact: Ethan Finlan, Regional Rail Campaign Coordinator, efinlan@transitmatters.org