BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation will host the third public information meeting for the East-West Passenger Rail Study on Thursday, Oct. 22, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

 

The meeting is being conducted via Zoom, and is being held to solicit public input and feedback on the analysis of the three final alternatives for improving connectivity and mobility in the East-West Corridor. A final draft report has been released for a thirty-day public comment period and can be found at  www.mass.gov/east-west-passenger-rail-study.

 

The conceptual planning study has been conducted over the past two years to examine the benefits, costs, and investments necessary to implement a range of passenger rail service alternatives between Pittsfield, Springfield and Boston. 

 

The study goals were developed with input and collaboration from the 42-member Advisory Committee and include improving transportation options to and from Western Massachusetts, supporting economic development, reducing trips taken using motor vehicles, and reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions and improving air quality. 

 

Currently, only Amtrak runs passenger rail service between the western border of Massachusetts with New York and Boston. Amtrak's service, the Lake Shore Limited, makes three roundtrips per week between Chicago and Boston and stops in Pittsfield, Springfield, Worcester, Framingham, and in Boston at Back Bay and South Station.

 

To access the meeting, please visit the meeting event page. The meeting will be recorded and posted online for those who cannot attend. The presentation will also be posted on the website in advance of the meeting.

 

Feedback on the final draft study will also be accepted via email. Please email MassDOT Project Manager Makaela Niles, at Makaela.Niles@dot.state.ma.us, to submit any questions or comments regarding the study.