We're really excited about #RegionalRail Phase 1 being included in this bond bill. This is a transformative project that reimagines what our Commuter Rail network can do for commuters, students, and residents across the region! 👩🏾💼🧕🏻👨🏻🦼👴🏿👨💻
#RegionalRail is about more capacity and more service, it's about #equity, and it's about economic development and more. Thanks to #mapoli for listening. With a few more amendments we can make this a reality.
#RegionalRail Phase 1 is about more trains during peak to relieve congestion 😟on the 🚞 rails and the 🚙🚗 road. In some cases the number of train during the peak (6:30-9:30 or 4-8) will increase by 50%!!! That's thousands of seats on nearly every corridor in and out of Boston!
Phase 1 also includes service at least every 🕐 hour on all lines during off-peak periods. #RegionalRail provides better service for 👨👩👦👦👩👩👧👧👨👨👦 working families, 👨🏿🍳 shift workers, and more who need to travel outside of peak.
Let's talk #TransitEquity #RegionalRail is about better air quality 🌬. As this study by Dr. Jennings & @DSNI_org shows communites like #Dorchester & #Mattapn suffer the most from pollution. This why Phase 1 must electrify the #FairmountLine! 
And just as important are cheaper fare & CharlieCard access. As my friend @ansoncfit pointed out the # of jobs low income residents can access skyrockets with better, cheaper service. This is why we must also electrify ⚡️the #EJLine on the North Shore and add a stop in #Revere!
We're not the only ones talking about equitable access for low-income riders. Our friends at @MassINC did incredible work. Attleboro has one the lowest percentages (3!!!) of low income riders on CR, despite the fact that 1/3 of residents being poor. The T needs to institute low-
income fares for commuter rail as well as bus and subway. The #ProvidenceLine is a no brainer for #RegionalRail Phase 1. The T runs slower diesel trains 🚂 on the fastest electrified railway in America! 🚅 This line is the easiest capital transformation project! Let’s get started
Modern electric trains could serve Mass residents at all stops in the same time that a proposed “express” diesel would. A comparative study on a similar project in the Bay Area showed that #ProvidenceLine riders would reap nearly $70M 🤑 in time savings... Annually!
Those diesel trains would still be of use on curvier lines with more stops like the #WorcesterLine! New buildings in Worc & #Framingham 🏬 and major construction on the Pike 🚧 means we need better service on the Worcester. By 2025 we can have a 45% ⬆️ in the # of peak trains!
Every other line would see benefits in #RegionalRail Phase 1. Double tracking 🛤 for more reliability & service on the #HaverhillLine, #GreenbushLine, & #OldColonlyLine! More high level platforms for ADA access 👩🏼🦽and faster boarding 🏃🏾💨on the #FitchburgLine. And there's more.
#RegionalRail Phase 1 would fund the remainder of the #FranklinLine double tracking, more #LowellLine trains, and an alternate plan to increase ⏫ South Station Capacity that doesn't rely on the Post Office moving. Now on to the economics 📈📊 & #housing
#RegionalRall is a chance to solve other issues the Commonwealth faces. Our friends at @mhphousing showed how our rail network can conservatively support 250k new homes 🏘🏬. And that's without the more frequent service #RegionalRail provides. Phase 1 is full of TOD opportunities
Research from @APTA_Transit shows that an investment like #RegionalRail Phase 1 could create nearly 20k direct #goodjobs 👷🏿♀️👷🏻♂️ and another ~20k indirect jobs 👨🏻💼👩💼. For later phases we put youth in #Brockton and #Fitchburg on a #STEM path 👩🏽🔬👩🏻🔬to build the trains for Phase 2 & 3!
Finally, #RegionalRail Phase 1 could benefit nearly every corner of the state. #SouthCoast residents would see more trains and more reliable service with Old Colony investments. And an electrified Stoughton branch means @MassDOT can work on Phase 2 to serve #Taunton faster.
And improvements on the Worcester Line helps #WesternMass residents. Minutes saved between BOS and WOR make the #Springfield journey quicker. @transitmatters will weigh in soon on making #EastWestRail happen faster. But with later phases of #RegionalRail, sub 2hr trips to
#Springfield could happen before the end of the decade and for much less than MassDOT's estimations. #RegionalRail is also a chance to fund and support our RTAs and work with businesses across the state to help deliver the capital projects needed!
I look forward to thanking the Reps who are supporting #RegionalRall through amendments & etc. TY @SpeakerDeLeo, Chairman Straus, and Chairman @RepMichlewitz for including a lot of great language around #RegionalRall in the bond bill. Email your Rep today to urge them to support!
@threadreaderapp unroll please
