New Calls For Commuter Rail Service On Cape Cod

CAPE COD, MA — Cape Cod legislators are making a new push to make getting around the Cape — and to Boston — easier for residents.

On Wednesday, Rep. Dylan Fernandes introduced legislation to begin the process of restoring a commuter rail on Cape Cod. Fernandes was joined by co-filer Rep. Kip Diggs, along with Reps. Steve Xiarhos, Chris Flanagan and Barnstable Town Council President Matthew Levesque.

The bill wants the MBTA to establish commuter rail service between Buzzards Bay and Boston within one year of passage. It would also require a study of the infrastructure needs of establishing on-Cape commuter rail service to Falmouth, Bourne, Barnstable, Yarmouth and Sandwich.

But make no mistake, this commuter rail wasn't created as a way to boost tourism to the Cape, though it would help, officials said.

The bill requires potential route schedules to align with the commuting patterns of residents, "ensuring that this route will not be another tourist rail," a news release said.

"We are at a pivotal moment for transportation on Cape Cod," said Fernandes. "By revitalizing Cape commuter rail, we can expand access and opportunity for the Cape and Island residents and unlock new avenues for connectivity through the region. Cape and Islanders deserve fast, reliable transit that connects our region and workforce with the rest of the Commonwealth."

"I enthusiastically support passenger train service between Buzzards Bay and Boston as a way to help residents in this area who commute into the city for work, and to offer more options to those who wish to visit Cape Cod for tourism," said Rep. Xiarhos.

"The more options we are able to offer to people here on Cape Cod for their transportation needs, the better for our economic development and way of life."

The 2021 Cape Rail Study found that bringing commuter rail to Buzzards Bay would reduce emissions by 3,400 metric tons of CO2 – equivalent to eliminating 8,716,066 miles driven by gas cars. The study also found that Cape commuter rail would eliminate 295,000 car trips annually, enough to drive around Earth over 600 times.

Rep. Fernandes’ bill proposes utilizing existing infrastructure on the Middleborough/Lakeville Line and the Cape Cod Line to run passenger rail service. Currently, this route is only used for tourist summer rail on schedules that do not align with the commuting patterns of local communities.

With the start of South Coast Rail service this year, Cape commuter rail would be able to connect to a regional rail system that ends in Boston, officials said.

This wouldn't be the first time that Cape rail infrastructure was used for passenger rail.

The Cape Cod Branch Railroad was established in 1848 to connect Cape Cod with the rest of the Commonwealth. The Cape Cod and Hyannis Railroad route even provided service directly to Falmouth as recently as 1988.