MBTA will develop a commuter rail transformation office, which will oversee the electrification of the network and upgrades to services, including the introduction of 15 minute frequencies between major stations.
The resolutions include launching a pilot electrification programme on the Providence/Stoughton and Fairmount lines and a section of the Newburyport/Rockport Line connecting Boston to Lynn, Revere, Chelsea and Everett. Services on the Fairmount Line and Newburyport/Rockport section will also adopt metro-style frequencies and will be prices accordingly. The programme is expected to cost around $US 1.5bn.
The other resolutions urged state lawmakers to support Governor Mr Charlie Baker’s transportation bond bill, which includes $US 400m for early-stage commuter rail improvements, while a fifth resolution called for a parallel “bus transformation office” to improve connections to the rail network.
The overall cost of the improvements are not yet know, but the board described the measures as a mixture of two options put forward last month which were expected to cost $US 10.6bn and $US 28.9bn, respectively.
“The board embraced the notion that the commuter rail system needs to transform itself into a so-called regional rail, urban rail system providing more aggressive service for the region, trying to attract more riders and to significantly make a dent in available capacity in order to decongest the roadway systems,” board chairman, Mr Joseph Aiello, told journalists after the meeting.
The options considered by the board did not call for a fare increase. Fares were increased by 6% in July, and MBTA fare increases are restricted to 7% every two years by state law. Funding options for the expanded system are yet to be determined, but many support a private-public partnership or raising the gasoline tax.
