Needham/Newton Rail Right-of-Way Transit Concept
Given the financial state of the MBTA and the current prospects for a green line extension, Needham has been pressing hard for some way to use the old Upper Falls railroad corridor to spur economic development. Now available from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, Newton and Needham participated in a study funded by Forterra and the Mass Smart Growth Alliance to explore the possibility of someday running the existing 128 Business Council shuttle over the MBTA-owned right of way from Easy Street over the Charles to Wexford Street. Most of this route is already approved for the Upper Falls Greenway linear park.
The report cites the high cost and many constraints and challenges of building a busway. And for what benefit? The existing bus shuttle serves just under 100 passenger trips per day. Moving it to a shared trail/busway would produce… are you ready? 5 to 30 new trips per day, most of which could be achieved adding the same additional buses to the existing route! Reduction in trip times would be modest, as the bus would still run on a portion of the congested Needham Street corridor to and from Newton Highlands. The study did not even attempt to compare the busway against the proposed green line extension, a more permanent investment with an estimated 6900-9400 trips and single seat ride which would actually drive economic growth.
This shuttle would primarily service Needham businesses. What’s in it for Newton? The main economic benefit to Newton may in fact be realized by a pedestrian path connecting the two communities (p. 25)
Although the New England Business Center is located in Needham, any significant development and job creation at this site would also benefit Newton as an influx of new employees in the area would also be shopping, eating lunch, and spending money in the many businesses that are located along Needham Street in Newton.
Plus, the figures suggest that bicycle and pedestrian use may far surpass a proposed shuttle in taking traffic off Needham Street. It’s hard to imagine boarding the shuttle anywhere along the Newton portion would save much on travel time over the existing roadway. Perhaps there are other ways to make the shuttle more effective, such as routing it up Nahanton/Winchester Streets, or perhaps giving priority to buses using Transit Signal Priority in the Needham Street redesign?
For far less cost the Needham industrial park would probably get much better results by subsidizing a Hubway bike sharing station so that commuters could use the Greenway to get from Newton Highlands to the Needham Industrialpark in less time than a shuttle bus .
Jerry: according to mapc, there would need to be stations every half mile. Each one, if I remember right, costs about $50,000, but that includes all service, maintenence, etc. for 3 years. If the stations are located off-road (in a parking lot, say, or on a green strip), the vendor will consider 12-month operation. How do you think that stacks up against a bus, diesel fuel, drivers, insurance, etc?
Andreae – “bus, diesel fuel, drivers”were just the tip of the iceberg. The plan they were investigating would have required big capital outlays. It would have required a mile and a half of pavement, lighting, building a road (with possible land taking) down from the embankment on the Needham side …
Hubway stations would be a bargain in comparison.
Another interesting detail: Trip Advisor, Needham’s newest marquis tenant, in the Needham industrial park was the most vocal and active commercial supporter of the Upper Falls Greenway when they were on Needham St in Newton.
When the public meeting about the Greenway was held in Upper Falls, the president of Trip Advisor sent a letter outlining exactly why they viewed the proposed nearby bike trail as a very valuable amenity for their business. A number of TripAdvisor employees that commute on bicycle also attended and were very enthusiastic supporters.
I think Needham may be a bit behind the curve in appreciating the potential commercial value of the Greenway, particularly to younger technology based companies.
Andreae – the MAPC report estimates that just the”feasibility study would cost $200,000 to $300,000 in 2013 dollars”.
Jerry, Hubway sounds great there. The challenge is growing the connective tissue with the mother network; Hubway is not into leapfrogging. But Needham St. could be an attractor for a build out from Cleveland Circle to BC, to Newton Centre, and on to Newton Highlands and Needham St.
Now that the MAPC study has rather conclusively ruled out the feasibility of operating a shuttle bus on the MBTA right of way in Newton and Needham, it’s really time for the residents of Needham to step up and demand that the transportation corridor be saved from destruction (by losing the bridge over 128) and re-used as a pedestrian and bike path. This would be a great way to preserve the corridor for any future use, to reduce vehicular traffic on Highland Ave., and to create some nice recreation options as little cost. If the town of Needham allows the defunct railroad bridge to be removed without any current use, the likelihood of MassDOT constructing a replacement anytime in the next decade is very low. That will make it virtually impossible for pedestrians to safely and pleasantly cross. Even just building out the easy section from the Charles River to Gould St, without any need for road crossings, would be a great step in the right direction. And with parking and easy access from Mills Field, there’s no reason not to build the multi-use path there right now. The street crossings at Gould and Webster streets will take more planning, as will a mid-town on-street connector to the Bay Colony Rail Trail in the south section of Needham. But delaying the construction of the Newton connection could be fatal.
Here’s a Guest Editorial from Boston.com by Tom Connors of the Friends of the Needham Rail Trail Greenway talking about these same issues.
The bus proposal sounds expensive and complicated — and now the MAPC study proves it. The good news is Newton can go back to focusing on building a wonderful linear park greenway for friends and family to enjoy, bicyclists can use as part of their commute, kids can learn to safely bike, and seniors and dog walkers can have an attractive place to enjoy some fresh air. With this study, the way is cleared for the selectmen of Needham to assess their options on how to provide the same wonderful community resources that Setti Warren provides for his residents. Also, Newton is a shining example of an open, inclusive and transparent engagement with the neighborhoods to ensure that everyone participates in the important decisions of the community. Nicely done Newton !!!
Every comment here has been right on the money and they have all been made by people who have shown real leadership in improving many aspects of life in Newton and surrounding towns. So, I’m pleased that the Business Shuttle is a step closer to being kapoot. In no way was this a good deal for the Upper Falls neighborhood that has already been hit by a lot of bad decisions including the closing of it’s elementary school and a possible closing of the post office. The bus shuttle would have scotched the Upper Falls Greenway that I’m almost certain will help enhance and revitalize portions of Upper Falls, particularly around Pettee Square.