Editorial: Fitchburg Funding On Track
Everyone knows that using public transportation is the right thing to do. And sometimes it can even be convenient.
Rather than swearing at fellow drivers in frustration and cowering as a tractor-trailer barrels by, train commuters can sit back and relax. Or, they can opt to work while riding, answering e-mails and even participating in phone conferences.
The only problem is, very few Americans - and even fewer Central Massachusetts commuters - use the commuter train system. And the reason public transportation hasn't caught on here like it has in Europe is somewhat complicated. Part of it probably relates back to the sense of Yankee independence we all share in New England. Ask a solo driver why they do it, and the responses sound eerily similar: "Who me? Carpooling and riding the train is great - for other people."
Timed Commitment
But another hurdle holding people in Central Massachusetts back from embracing public transportation is simply its level of convenience - or lack thereof. Train times are few and far between, and reliability is a problem.
And that's why we were glad to hear that Gov. Deval Patrick's $2.9 billion transportation bill includes $75 million for the state's share of improvements along the Fitchburg commuter rail. The state funding will match an additional $75 million in federal funding already earmarked by U.S. Rep. John Olver for the project.
The total $150 million investment will be used to reduce commute times along the line and improve safety.
Shorter commute times will no doubt go a long way in encouraging residents along the under-utilized and long-neglected rail line to park their cars and ride into Boston, rather than suffering through traffic along Route 2.
Currently, riders getting on the train in Fitchburg face a one hour and 40-minute ride into Beantown, complete with 17 stops along the way. The investment from the state and federal government promises to cut that commute down to under an hour, which is much more reasonable - and will be sure to spur significant additional ridership.
Chugging Along
We hope Patrick's bill - which also includes $40 million for improvements at regional airports, $20 million for grants to cities and towns to encourage the development of affordable housing near public transit and $15 million in transportation grants for small communities of 7,000 or less - winds its way through our legislature with the funding for the Fitchburg line intact.
Noticeably absent in Patrick's bill was any additional funding for the Worcester rail line, which like the Fitchburg line is woefully underutilized, mainly because of long commute times, and because trains heading to or from Boston are so sparse. While there's no money for Worcester's expansion of service in the bill, bond money for expanding the line has already been approved. The holdup for the Worcester line isn't funding - it's the bogged down negotiations between CSX - the owner of the tracks - and the state. Hopefully once the CSX issue is resolved the Worcester line can finally earn an increased frequency befitting the state's second largest city.
The news of the proposed funding for the Fitchburg line also drives home how this governor's administration - including Central Massachusetts' own Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray - continues to put this region on their agenda.
Let's hope this bill becomes reality, and that it makes the train a much more attractive transportation alternative, helping ease congestion along our busy roadways.
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