MBTA Board Weary About Foxborough Commuter Rail Expansion

FOXBOROUGH, MA — The MBTA's expansion into permanent service for Foxborough could face a hurdle in the form of the group's Fiscal & Management Control Board.

Board members appeared weary about the prospect of bringing full-time service to the Gillette Stadium platform, with Steven Poftak asking his fellow board members to be honest with themselves about the implications of full-time service and the effect it could have on the daily operation, according to the Boston Globe.

Board Chairman Joseph Aiello said the MBTA's priority needs to be on repairing current service.

The cost of permanent service has not been provided but a 2010 feasibility study has the price pegged around $84 million. Officials said in November that the Kraft Group could contribute $200,000 towards the pilot program.

The idea for a train from the stadium was revived in late 2014 and the MBTA soon afterward signed a memorandum of understanding with the Kraft Group. The proposal was shelved until late 2016 when the MBTA proposed a pilot program that was endorsed with conditions by the Foxborough Board of Selectmen 4-1.

State Representative Shawn Dooley, who represents Norfolk and parts of Walpole, spoke against the expansion because of the added trains to the Franklin line. The proposed service calls for trains to travel from Foxborough to Boston by traveling through Walpole before switching to the Fairmount Line.

Paul Matthews, executive director of the 495/MetroWest Partnership, spoke of the economic advantages of the line in a letter to the board.

The Foxborough selectmen are hoping to hear more about the proposed service at a future meeting.

Image: File Photo