Medford Pols Speak Out on Commuter Rail Service Changes- Updated
Story Updated 2:04 PM Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Update- statement from State Senator Pat Jehlen:
“The new commuter rail schedules that were originally slated to go into effect in December would have caused serious hardships for many riders who depend on reliable, regular train service.
I’m thankful to the MBTA and MassDOT for hearing the concerns of residents and legislators and delaying implementation of any schedule changes.
Revised new schedules will be developed with public input over the winter and go into effect next spring.
I’m looking forward to a positive and collaborative process that will result in a better outcome for riders and the commuter rail system as a whole.”
Story updated 5:13 PM Monday, November 23, 2015
Update: According to Sen. Jehlen, on Monday afternoon, legislators from Medford and several other districts affected the commuter rail service cuts asked the MBTA to suspend the changes until there can be “a public process to allow our constituents to explain how the cuts will affect them.” An MBTA response to the request is expected Tuesday.
Senator Patricia Jehlen and Representatives Sean Garballey, Paul Donato, and Christine Barber, all members of the Medford Legislative Delegation, offered the following statement on the MBTA’s announced schedule changes to the Lowell commuter rail line:
Recently, the MBTA announced schedule changes to 4 commuter rail lines north of Boston, including service cuts to the Lowell line. The West Medford station, located on the Lowell line, will see a drastic reduction in service during both rush hours.
After 8:00am, West Medford currently has service at 8:27 am, 8:45 am, 8:58 am, 9:30 am, and 9:48 am. The changes to morning rush hour service from West Medford will cut these times to 8:14 am, 8:34 am, and 9:47 am, with a service gap of one hour and 13 minutes between the latter two trains. Currently, afternoon rush hour service has trains leaving North Station with service to West Medford at 4:10 pm, 4:20 pm, 4:40 pm, 5:10 pm, 5:50 pm, 6:25 pm, 6:55 pm, and 7:30 pm. The announced changes will cut this service to 3:55 pm, 4:45 pm, 5:10 pm, 6:00 pm, 6:25 pm, and 7:25 pm, with a service gap as long as an hour and 5 minutes.
It is deeply troubling to us that the Lowell line is seeing such reductions when other lines are seeing trips added to their schedules or no changes at all. Eliminating several trains during morning and afternoon peak hours will have disproportionately negative impacts on commuters in this area. These changes will make it impossible for parents of elementary school children who work in Boston and rely on dependable, frequent service in this area to take care of their families, get their children to school or daycare, and then arrive at work at an appropriate time.
These service gaps are a problem that must be addressed and we are actively working to remedy the problem. A group of legislators sent an urgent letter this week to senior MassDOT and MBTA officials and will be meeting with them within the coming days. We simply cannot make drastic service changes that will have such significant negative consequences for commuters, parents, and families.
– Submitted by State Senator Pat Jehlen’s office