Rick Dimino
The Massachusetts economy and population both continue to grow, but our underperforming transportation system is a major risk to our economic future. Today, the worst rush-hour congestion in the nation is located on the highways of the metropolitan Boston region. To fix this, we need a high-quality, appropriately priced, modern approach to commuter rail service.
This will require a new service model called “regional rail,” with better frequency, different vehicle types, electrification and new investment. Massachusetts needs to move thoughtfully and with some urgency towards an updated rail plan that incorporates this model.
The heavy congestion on our roads is partially the result of an unreliable, inconvenient and expensive commuter rail system. We need to put together the right incentives and service options that make mass transit the best option for commuters. As elected officials, the business community and the general public work together on the future transportation needs of Massachusetts, a regional transit service is needed to better serve Greater Boston and finally reach Central and Western Massachusetts. This must be a priority to any comprehensive transportation finance plan.
Better Trains Will Boost Ridership
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation completed two statewide studies that guide our current and long-term transportation goals. A consistent theme in both reports is the need for a high-quality, regional commuter rail system. Both the “Future of Transportation Commission” and “Congestion in the Commonwealth” reports call for reinventing the commuter rail to “see the benefits that transit can provide for GHG reduction, congestion relief, economic growth and community revitalization,” as the former put it.
Fortunately, Massachusetts can utilize of our existing and extensive network of tracks and rail lines – we have an astounding 388 miles of track right-of-way to utilize. If we commit to modern, electric vehicles and structural changes to our station platforms, we can create a regional rail system that offers faster, more frequent service to Boston, every fifteen or twenty minutes, throughout the day.
The newer models of trains are self-propelled, electric systems that look more like an oversized MBTA Green Line vehicle than the classic steam locomotive. These trainsets can accelerate and brake faster than the larger locomotive-pull trainsets, while producing far fewer harmful emissions. These new vehicles can offer more frequent service and reduced travel times that are consistent with a 21st century rail system.
Massachusetts is scheduled to complete a commuter rail vision study this year, but we already know the potential of electrified regional rail. As the MBTA’s preliminary analysis shows, an electrified, frequent, bi-directional all-day service would increase ridership by 35 percent (about 52,000 more daily boardings) with the current fare structure. If we commit to a more rational and accessible fare structure, it is likely we can expand ridership further.
This system is necessary if we are to meet many of the recommendations of the Future of Transportation Commission. Based on our carbon emission goals, and electrified commuter rail system may not be a choice, but a requirement.
Next Contract Offers Opportunity
Recent cost estimates of a fully electrified commuter rail grid with the new, modern vehicles could cost up to $20 billion. While this is certainly a massive effort, this level of investment is already happening in other urban areas in the US and Canada.
The Seattle area approved a $54 billion plan to improve their transit options over the next 25 years. Los Angeles will expand their rail system through a $120 billion initiative over the next 40 years. Toronto’s approach may be the best model for Massachusetts. Their effort to modernize, expand and electrify their rail service will cost $16 billion, but it will generate an estimated $42 billion in economic benefits.
Massachusetts will also need a new service partnership to operate regional rail service. The MBTA’s existing commuter rail contract with Keolis expires in June 2022, and through this next procurement, the MBTA should take steps forward towards frequent rail service.
By carefully designing this next procurement, we can design new ways to use commuter rail to improve transportation options in our areas of need. Pilot programs that test different schedules, frequency, and fares on different commuter rail lines should be the first step, particularly on the Framingham/Worcester rail line as mitigation to the roadway construction on Interstate 90. New approaches to economically disadvantaged communities, such as areas of Lynn or along the Fairmount line should also be tested.
Finally, transportation investments cannot just be limited to the Boston area. We must expand transit service to parts of the commonwealth that are underserved. The economies of Springfield, the South Coast, and areas west of Worcester require viable transit options to connect with the job centers in the Boston area. By improving the transit connections to our Gateway Cities and regional urban centers we can both relieve traffic pressure and assist the economies of these other historic urban communities.
By 2040, Massachusetts’s population is expected to increase by 600,000 people. We cannot expect job growth to continue without major investments in new transportation infrastructure. Regional Rail is the alternative vision that brings the best hope for Massachusetts, so let’s take the steps necessary to make these improvements a reality and start to benefit from this service within the next ten years.
Rick Dimino is CEO of A Better City.
