Meeting details

Thurs. December 16th | 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm

The meeting will be held virtually (via Zoom) and is open to the public.

To register for the meeting please click here.

On December 16th, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) will convene stakeholders and launch a study to examine the benefits, costs, and investments necessary to restart passenger rail service from North Adams to Greenfield and Boston, with the speed, frequency, and reliability necessary to be a competitive option for travel along this corridor.

At the meeting, which will be hosted virtually, the study team will review the role of the Working Group, provide a study overview, and engage the Working Group in a discussion of study goals.

A recording of the meeting will be posted on the official webpage for the study at a later date.

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This study was required by legislation, passed in 2019, filed by Senator Jo Comerford and supported by Representatives Blais and Domb as well as Senator Adam Hinds.

More than 700 western Massachusetts residents submitted testimony on behalf of the enabling legislation when it was heard by the Joint Committee on Transportation.

Beginning in 1875, passenger rail service connected Franklin County with Boston along the Norther Tier Rail Corridor, which is also known as the Route 2 rail corridor.

Passenger service from Boston to North Adams ended in 1958, followed by the end of service to Greenfield in 1960. Currently, the MBTA runs commuter rail service on the Fitchburg Line, along Route 2, but only as far west as Wachusett.

The rail track through to Greenfield and North Adams remains, but is only used for freight service at the moment.

The restoration of passenger rail service between North Adams, Greenfield, and Boston would provide people with an important alternative to driving Route 2.

Anyone and everyone who would like to see passenger rail service restored along this corridor should contribute their ideas to the work of the study team.”

To submit an online comment to the study team please use this link.

If you submit a comment please take the time to share your comment with both your elected state senator and representative. Its important that they too hear your thoughts and ideas regarding the proposed restoration of passenger rail service on this corridor.

Further information

Northern Tier Passenger Rail Study (official webpage)
MassDOT

Northern Tier Passenger Rail Study overview
Trains In The Valley