MBTA Approves Foxboro Commuter Rail Pilot

At their last monthly meeting, the MBTA’s Fiscal Management and Control Board (FMCB) approved the Foxboro Commuter Rail Pilot Program in a 4-1 vote. The program will be allowed to move forward as long as nine caveats are met:
• The Pilot will begin with the Spring service schedule adjustment in 2019 (approximately April/May 2019).
• The Pilot will last 11.5 months, unless otherwise extended or cancelled by the board.
• Monthly updates on ridership and success of the pilot will be reported to the board.
• The capacity of Fairmount line trains will be monitored.
• If costs of the project exceed the projected costs, the difference will be shared between the public and private players of the project.
• All railroad crossings must be upgraded to meet current standards and must be completed by the start of service.
• A fixed price contract to operate the line must be in place with Keolis by February 1, 2018.
• A 12 month passenger count at each station expected to lose ridership due to this pilot must be completed.
• A fare discount for reverse commuters must be studied by the start of service on this line.
The meeting grew tense at times with board members questioning proponents of the plan on the data used to model projected ridership; however, the board ultimately saw the proposed pilot as a good way to study various hypotheses on reverse commuting in the Greater Boston Area.
At the board’s July 31st meeting State Representative Shawn Dooley (R-Norfolk) presented a letter of opposition from a coalition of area legislators including State Senator Michael Rush (D-West Roxbury), State Representative John Rogers (D-Norwood), State Representative Louis Kafka (D-Stoughton), State Representative Paul McMurtry (D-Dedham), State Representative Angelo Scaccia (D-Readville), and State Representative Evandro C. Carvalho (D-Dorchester). The legislators cited the proximity of Norfolk, Walpole, Sharon, and Mansfield stations as well as a minimal projected increase of 100-150 riders as clear signs that this project will be a drain on taxpayer funds and a disruption to current commuter rail riders.
Shortly after the meeting, Dooley expressed his disappointment with the board. “Today we all witnessed yet another example of the MBTA choosing to side with a wealthy few over the fiscal security of our Commonwealth and the concerns of those affected by this line. Residents of my district and beyond have over and over again voiced their opposition to this project, yet today the board dedicated exactly zero minutes to their concerns. Instead of siding with those who currently rely on the commuter rail and those who will have to bear the costs of train service running through their backyards, the board opted to be lured by the false hope and promise that a couple mile extension of an existing commuter rail line will spur unprecedented economic growth.”
Dooley also commented that he was disturbed by the board’s secrecy around this project. “It is tradition at these meetings to allow public comment; however, the board today disallowed it knowing that my constituents and I would be there to stand in opposition. I was promised on multiple occasions that this meeting would only be for further discussion and no vote would be taken, yet the board decided to vote on this important project while all those affected were at work unaware of the proceedings.”
The board also introduced the idea of a “reverse commute fare discount” to make fares cheaper for those having to commute all the way to Foxboro, asking for it to be studied in more detail leading up to the start of the service on the Foxboro pilot. Dooley argues that this is simply a way for the MBTA to make the numbers work. “No one else in the entire State would get this discount, only a select few riders. The harsh reality is no one wants to commute from Boston to Foxboro and then board a shuttle bus to get to work every day. I find it infuriating that the MBTA would attempt to rig their results by reducing the reverse commute fare in an attempt to make their bogus predictions become a reality. I guess the FMCB forgot that the F in their name stands for fiscal - and that they are charged with reducing waste and are beholden to the taxpayers of Massachusetts, not the special interests of an elite few.”
Despite the setback Dooley has no plans to stop fighting “As long as I am in office, I will have my constituents’ backs and will continue to fight against this pilot in any way I can.”