This from the MBTA (and for those who don’t know, the Framingham/Worcester Line is the commuter line that runs through Newton, stopping in Auburndale, West Newton and Newtonville)
The MBTA plans to increase service on the Framingham/Worcester Line this fall and we would like your suggestions for train times on the expanded schedule.
With 13,000 customers riding with us every weekday—and growing— this expansion will build on the additional peak train departures introduced last fall and spring. We are also undertaking additional improvements to the Worcester Line, including a new station at Yawkey, track and signal upgrades, and adding new trains to the fleet. These investments will increase capacity, allow schedule flexibility, reduce travel time, improve reliability, and enhance safety, comfort and convenience.
To help us develop an expanded schedule that will best serve customers and stakeholders, please take a few moments to answer the questions below:
. What train departure times at which stations would increase your / your constituent’s use of the line?. Which stations would you recommend as express stops and at what times of day?
(We will schedule peak hour express service at stations that experience high demand and offer pedestrian and bicycle access and sufficient car and bicycle parking.)
. What train departure times would best serve reverse and off-peak commuters?
. What weekend schedules would be most beneficial?
Please email your suggestions to [email protected] by September 25, 2013.
There was once a dedicated circuit from Boston down what’s now the “D” line back up this track to Boston. According to Wikipedia, in 1889 as many as 35 trains traveled the Circuit daily, providing commuter service. The idea of re-connecting Riverside station to the Framingham/Worcester line has come up in the past. For a relatively small investment, this could help provide much improved service for north and west parts of Newton and make it easier to provide express service for the more distant suburbs.
I probably sound like Captain Obvious here, but I would love to see more stops at the Newton commuter rail stations. Weekend stops inbound are very limited. I was surprised to see that there were no inbound stops from these stations into the city on weekdays during afternoon rush hour (I had considered taking the train into boston the other night at 5pm, but had to take the express bus instead).
I’m sure the MBTA believes there isn’t enough demand for either… Or is there?
There’d be more demand if the stations were handicapped accessible. I can’t even consider taking the commuter train because I can’t handle the stairs.
i’m surprised that federal law allows for grandfathering of this kind of inaccessibility…
Mgwa & Bip: change is coming:
http://village14.com/netwon-ma/2013/07/accessible-commuter-rail-stations-in-newton/
The biggest issue of increasing reverse direction rush service is lack of a second platform (well its there in Newtonville but nicely covered by weeds and does not lead anywhere. This requires inbound and outbound trains to run on the same track for the Newton stations and with the current switch locations makes it very tricky to provide this needed service.
Solution is to bring back double platforms, at least in Newtonville there is room. The hill would need to be sculpted back but it could allow direct access to Washington and elevator service as well using the bridge to switch between tracks. (elevator would be most expensive element here I think)
For now we have the express buses which I find very valuable if you don’t get sick going around the Newton Corner loop de loop.