SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1727        FILED ON: 1/19/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2271

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Liz Miranda

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act improving rail service on the Fairmount commuter rail line.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1727        FILED ON: 1/19/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2271

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

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An Act improving rail service on the Fairmount commuter rail line.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1: Within 180 days following the effective date, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and operator of commuter rail service shall make the following improvements to the Fairmount Commuter Rail Line: (i) require uniform fares at all stations from South Station to Readville that are the same rate charged to ride the subway network, with free transfers to connecting bus lines and to the Red and Silver Lines at South Station; (ii) complete a plan, in consultation with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation Planning Office, for electrifying the Fairmount Commuter Rail Line, and post that plan online in an accessible format; and (iii) allow fare media including, but not limited to, CharlieCards or its equivalent successor products, M7 Passes, S-Cards, Youth Passes, and other discounted fare medium available to people with disabilities, seniors, students, and those people meeting other eligibility criteria; (iv) amend the train or connecting bus schedules to facilitate synchronized bus service with commuter rail service at Fairmount Commuter Rail Line stations,  to the maximum extent feasible; and (v) designate on station maps the Fairmount Commuter Rail Line as the Fairmount/Indigo Line. 

SECTION 2: The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority shall implement electrification along the Fairmount Commuter Rail Line from South Station to Readville Station by December 31, 2024. Not later than November 1, 2023, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation should begin construction on the Fairmount corridor to support rail electrification. Not later than December 31, 2025, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and Massachusetts Department of Transportation shall work with the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, and Massachusetts Department of Public Health to evaluate and file a report with the Joint Committee on Transportation indicating the greenhouse gas emissions reduction, air quality improvement, climate and health benefits of electrifying the Fairmount/Indigo Line.

SECTION 3: By December 31, 2029, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority shall operate service on the Fairmount/Indigo Line every 7.5 minutes in each direction and ensure that there are no less than three train-sets dedicated to service on the line.  By December 31, 2029, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority shall construct high-level ADA-compliant platforms at Fairmount and Readville Stations.  As part of its operations in 2029, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority or Massachusetts Department of Transportation shall complete an analysis into additional entrances at existing stations and redundant elevators and stairs and adding infill stations at Columbia Road and River Street. Train-sets shall not be diverted from the Fairmount/Indigo Line service for any purpose except maintenance directly upon such train-set. By December 31, 2035, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority shall maintain the ability to operate service on the Fairmount/Indigo Line every 5 minutes in each direction. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority shall pursue federal funding to support the Fairmount/Indigo Line improvements.