Transit Roundup

Written by Lauren LeClaire
October 09, 2014

In the last few weeks, we have seen a lot of news focused on Boston-area public transit. In addition to the West Station announcement, reports about weekend Commuter Rail options, a new Silver Line route, and updated Green Line Extension dates have all come out.

Here's the roundup:

- Weekend Commuter Rail service is returning on three lines. The Kingston/Plymouth and Greenbush lines will all be available on Saturdays and Sundays, while the Needham line will become available on Saturdays starting on December 27. In his statement about the increased Commuter Rail service, MassDOT Secretary Richard A. Davey indicated that the added trains were a result of transit users wanting more options.

- A contract for the Silver Line Extension was approved. The extended Silver Line will link East Boston and Chelsea with three new stations. All stations will have bike racks, and a Shared Use Path is planned from Eastern Avenue into downtown Chelsea.

- The dates for the Green Line Extension project have moved out, but Phase 2 design is almost done. The completion dates are now delayed by a year, but Lechmere, Washington St, and Union Square station designs are "approved to proceed." You may remember when we reported on the successful campaign for the Somerville Community Path Extension as part of this project. To learn about how you can be involved, visit the Green Line Extension website.
- Allston will get West Station as part of the I-90 Interchange Improvement Project. As with the Somerville Community Path Extension, this is a project that MassBike supported.