The Commuter Rail Communities Coalition is an alliance of mayors and town/city managers/administrators that seeks to identify concerns and ideas on commuter rail issues and opportunities, and advocate for short- and long-term improvements to the rail network.
The coalition is co-chaired by Lynn Mayor Tom McGee and Bedford Town Manager Sarah Stanton, and is staffed by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, the 495/MetroWest Partnership, Transportation for Massachusetts, the MBTA Advisory Board and TransitMatters.
See the co-chairs' welcome letter to municipal leaders, and an opinion piece in CommonWealth on why municipal leaders need to be at the table as the state sets a direction for the future of the rail network.
Who is the coalition: The chief elected and/or administrative officials (or their designees) of all municipalities served by the MBTA commuter rail are invited to participate in the coalition.
- Coalition Charter, Mission, Governance and Structure as adopted on 3/11/19
- Coalition Priorities as amended on 3/11/19
Our next meeting is Monday, January 25th from 11:30AM - 1:00 PM over Zoom.
- The January 25th agenda includes an update on the MBTA Forging Ahead initiative and the Transportation Bond Bill, a presentation from Brian Kane of the MBTA Advisory Board, a presentation from Andy Bagley of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, and time for Q&A and a discussion of CRCC priorities in 2021.
- Please register here for January 25th. Note that attendance is limited to staff and elected officials in member communities.
If your municipality is interested in hosting a meeting for the coalition, or if you have ideas on topics or speakers at our upcoming events, please feel reach out to Kasia Hart at [email protected] or Lizzi Weyant at [email protected].
See below for...
- Commuter Rail Communities Coalition materials
- Recent Commuter Rail news and reports
- MBTA/MassDOT rail project information
- Reports by advocacy organizations.
1. Commuter Rail Communities Coalition Materials
Rail Vision
- The Commuter Rail Communities Coalition on October 11, 2019 approved a statement in support of the most ambitious transformation of the Commuter Rail network considered under the Rail Vision study.
- The Coalition Co-Chairs submitted a letter on October 28, 2019 to the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board in support of the most ambitious scenario under consideration for Rail Vision.
- The FMCB on November 4, 2019 voted a series of resolutions related to Rail Vision.
Priorities and Funding
- Coalition members sent a sign-on letter to the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board in opposition to service cuts.
- The Co-Chairs have submitted a letter to the House of Representatives regarding transportation legislation.
- The Commuter Rail Communities Coalition has ratified a document supporting a range of revenue options to support the Commonwealth's statewide transportation investments, including Commuter Rail.
- MAPC distributed a press release on November 13, 2019 citing the statements of the Commuter Rail Communities Coalition, the Metropolitan Mayors Coalition and the North Shore Coalition.
November 19, 2020 meeting
The November 19 meeting on Zoom included an update on proposed service changes focused on the Commuter Rail system as a follow up to the presentation at the November 9 FMCB meeting.
January 9, 2020 meeting
The January 9 meeting in the State House included an update from State Senators and Representatives on the prospects for transportation legislation in this session, perspectives from municipal leaders on the need for investment in rail, and an overview of legislative priorities fron the Metropolitan Area Planning Council.
October 11, 2019 meeting
The October 11 meeting featured a presentation by MassDOT Manager of Transit Planning Scott Hamwey on the results of the alternatives analysis, providing ridership, cost and service impacts for the six alternatives explored in the modeling process. Alexandra Markiewicz of MassDOT summarized the Toronto Metrolinx presentation, and Coalition members endorsed a statement on Rail Vision, and finalized a draft revenue/policy statement for circulation to all Coalition members for approval.
- Rail Vision Alternatives Presentation
- Toronto Metrolinx Presentation
- Coalition statement on Rail Vision
- Meeting Summary
June 10, 2019 meeting
The June 10 meeting featured a presentation by MBTA Commuter Rail Executive Director Rob DiAdamo and MassDOT Manager of Transit Planning Scott Hamwey on the MBTA five-year capital plan as it relates to commuter rail. (Download the presentation here.) We also had a discussion on the state's capital and operating needs and the ways in which the Coalition can advocate most effectively.
March 11, 2019 meeting
The March 11 agenda included the of co-chairs Lynn Mayor Tom McGee and Bedford Town Manager Sarah Stanton, a discussion and revision to the coalition's policy priorities, and a presentation on the Rail Vision study from Scott Hamwey of MassDOT.
- March 11 Meeting Summary
- Coalition Charter, Mission, Governance and Structure as adopted on 3/11/19
- Coalition Priorities as amended on 3/11/19
- Rail Vision presentation
October 25, 2018 meeting
The October 25 meeting featured a discussion of governance structure, coalition priorities, leadership, and a presentation by the Keolis General Manager, David Scorrey.
- October 25 meeting summary
- Coalition Charter, Mission, Governance and Structure
- Coalition Priorities as approved
- Presentation by Keolis
June 12, 2018 meeting
The June 12 meeting featured a discussion of common areas of interest, and a presentation by the MBTA Rail Vision team.
- Meeting Summary: Commuter Rail Communities Coalition Kick Off Event (June 12, 2018)
- Rail Vision team 6/12/18 presentation to the Commuter Rail Communities Coalition
2. Recent Commuter Rail reports and news
- January 28, 2019 Commuter Rail Ridership Counts presentation to the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board
- January 14, 2019 Commuter Rail Update presentation to the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board
- Commuter rail ridership up 20% since 2012, CommonWealth, January 11, 2019
3. MBTA and MassDOT rail studies and projects
MBTA Rail Vision
The MBTA's Rail Vision will identify cost-effective strategies to transform the MBTA's existing Commuter Rail system to better support improved mobility and economic competitiveness in the Boston region.
- Panel Envisioning Range of Options for Commuter Rail, State House New Service, January 24, 2019
- Download the October 15, 2018 presentation on Rail Vision provided to the MBTA's Fiscal and Management Control Board.
- MassDOT/MBTA page on the Rail Vision project includes links to Rail Vision meeting materials
Focus40 (MBTA)
Focus40 is the 25-year investment plan for the MBTA, reflecting a comprehensive public engagement process for all modes of public transportation. A draft report has been published, with public comment due by September 21, 2018. The final report is expected in late 2018.
- Visit the MBTA Focus40 site
- July 30, 2018 Draft Focus 40 Report
- Focus40 State of the System Report: Commuter Rail
MassDOT North South Rail Link Feasibility Reassessment Study
MassDOT conducted a study to help pinpoint the technical and financial needs in relation to the existing gap limiting connectivity between the North and South Stations in Boston, connectivity that affects the MBTA and Amtrak commuter rail systems.
- Project page with links to presentations and reports
MassDOT South Station Expansion
The purpose of the South Station Expansion project is to expand South Station Rail Terminal capacity and related layover capacity to meet current and anticipated future (2035) high-speed, intercity, and commuter rail service.
MassDOT South Coast Rail Project
MassDOT East-West Passenger Rail Study
MassDOT is conducting a study to examine the costs, benefits, and investments necessary to implement passenger rail service from Boston to Springfield and Pittsfield, with the speed, frequency, and reliability necessary to be a competitive option for travel along this corridor.
MassDOT State Rail Plan
The 2018 Massachusetts State Rail Plan provides an overall plan for the development of rail transportation in the Commonwealth, including both passenger and freight.
4. Advocacy reports
Regional Rail White Paper (Transit Matters)
The Transit Matters Regional Rail report is a blueprint for comprehensive transit service using the existing commuter rail network, with upgrades to fleet, track and capacity.
The Promise and Potential of Transformative Transit-Oriented Development in Gateway Cities (MassINC)
The MassINC TTOD Report examines the economic opportunities associated with transit-oriented development at Gateway Cities commuter rail stations.
Transportation Dividend: Transit Investments and the Massachusetts Economy (A Better City)
A Better City's report weighs the economic benefits of the MBTA in comparison to the system's near-term capital needs, establishes the necessity of greater investment focus on reliability, capacity and connectivity.