SECTION 1. The secretary of transportation is hereby authorized and directed to develop, participate in the development of, negotiate and enter into a compact on behalf of the commonwealth with the state of Connecticut or any appropriate agency or jurisdiction thereof to implement the following purposes:

(a) It shall be the purpose of this compact, through means of joint and cooperative action among the compacting states to: (i) establish permanent commuter rail service between the cities of New Haven and Greenfield including stops in Holyoke, Northampton, and Springfield; (ii) explore the extension of the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail Program along the Knowledge Corridor through Holyoke, Northampton, and Greenfield; (iii) publicly promote permanent commuter rail service along the Knowledge Corridor and undertake efforts to ensure the success of permanent commuter rail service in Western Massachusetts.

(b) It shall be the policy of the compacting states that the activities conducted by any interstate commissions created are the formation of public policies and therefore are public business. Furthermore, the compacting states shall cooperate and observe their individual and collective duties and responsibilities to ensure the success of any programs established. The provisions of this compact shall be reasonably and liberally construed to accomplish the purposes and policies of the compact.