Selectmen Unsure of Proposed Foxborough Commuter Rail Stop

Residents and town officials from Foxborough and neighboring towns got their first chance to hear a proposal to bring a MBTA Commuter Rail stop to Foxborough Tuesday night during a lengthy meeting at Ahern Middle School.

The presentation and meeting was part of an effort from the MBTA and MassDOT to seek input from residents and public officials regarding their desire to create a full time stop.

The station would come on the heels of the purchase of the freight lines in Foxborough from CSX. The line would not be used for regular service through the town to Mansfield but it would allow MBTA trains to move around easier in the event of a detour on the Commuter Rail.

The Plan

The proposed stop at Gillette Stadium would make use of the current platform used by the MBTA mainly during New England Patriots games. Passengers would head into Boston by going through Walpole and eventually jumping on the Fairmount line.

Currently, the line is contained in Boston, starting at Readville and ending at South Station. A train from Foxborough on the Fairmount line would feature no stops between Foxborough and Readville.

The Kraft Group would be responsible for maintaining and collecting parking fees for a 500-space parking lot setup in a pre-existing lot at the stadium. Gillette Stadium would collect revenue from the fees to maintain the lot with the MBTA collecting any net revenue to help offset the cost of operating the station.

Five trips out of Foxborough are planned with two in the morning, one around midday, and two in the evening. No weekend trains are planned but that and more weekend trains could be added if there is demand.

For the start, normal Commuter Rail trains housed in Readville will go down to Foxborough to start the day until a facility at Gillette Stadium can be built. The use of diesel multiple-units, a faster more efficient train more akin to the Green Line trains, is possible in the future.

The lines, mainly for freight trains, would require upgrade by the state accept commuter rail trains and meet federal standards.

How Did We Get Here?

This isn’t the first time the idea of a Foxborough Commuter Rail stop has been thrown around. In 2010 and 2011, two studies showed that a Foxborough stop would generate about 650 new riders not including those who currently use the the train.

At the time, the proposal was deemed financially unfeasible but work on bring more trains to Foxborough restarted earlier this year.

According to David Mohler Executive Director of Planning for MassDOT, the state began meeting with Kraft Group officials in January about potentially making the train platform at Gillette Stadium, which is used only for major events, into a Commuter Rail stop.

In March, a letter of intent was issued but a final, binding deal between the two groups has not been agreed to. A memorandum of understanding which would allow the MBTA to operate the platform and create a facility on five to six acres of land down the road is expected to be signed by the group and the Kraft Group by the end of the year.

Foxborough officials were not informed of the work until the Department of Transportation informed Town Manager Bill Keegan in October, irking members of the selectmen.

“Why would you approach this without going to the towns impacted? Why was this done quietly without invitation?” Selectman John Gray asked.

“We did this poorly. We shouldn’t have baited Bill (Keegan) but it’s not unusual to talk to the private landowner when we want to do something with private property when we need significant help from the landowner,” Mohler said.

The MBTA is expected to purchase the freight lines in Foxborough from CSX by the end of the year.

But is There Demand?

After listening to the proposal, the selectmen wondered if the town had a demand or need for a Foxborough line.

Selectman Ginny Coppola said she has not had residents reach out to her about a Commuter Rail stop in town, noting that the town has a lot for commuters about a half mile from the Mansfield station near the town line that includes a shuttle to the station.

“The reason (we’ve been told) for the plan is the lack of parking in Sharon, Walpole, and Mansfield. I don’t recall anyone coming to the Board of Selectmen asking for more parking at Mansfield,” Coppola said, “I do know for a fact that the Foxborough parking lot is not filled. The argument that lack of commuter parking for residents, I don’t know where that comes from because we have parking. People have not complained about parking while trying to get from a Commuter Rail station to Boston.”

According to Mohler, Mansfield and Sharon are two of the busier commuter rail stations with Mansfield’s 800 spots filling up quickly in the morning and Sharon’s town-operated lot holding 500 vehicles.

Last December, the Sharon Board of Selectmen discussed possible solution to the popularity of the train station which has left the town searching for extra space for parking.

Resident Stephanie McGowan said she supported a train station to help provide easier access to Boston.

“Even though you haven’t had residents complain, we thought it was something we couldn’t do. When we have to take the train we use Mansfield or Sharon. You don’t get there early you don’t get a spot,” McGowan said. “I wouldn’t say just because people haven’t come to you and complained does not mean there isn’t a need.”

What is Next?

For Mohler, a trip to Walpole on Dec. 2 is next with a return trip to Foxborough for a public hearing very likely.

The board did vote to submit a letter requesting that the memorandum of understanding between the MBTA and the Kraft Group not be executed until all their questions from residents and the board and all the towns involved have been engaged.

Legally, the town cannot stop the MBTA from opening a Commuter Rail stop in Foxborough but public input would assist the organization when it is ultimately decided if trains will come to Foxborough on a daily basis or not.

Any questions from residents can be submitted through Town Hall or the selectmen.

Would you like to see more trains come to Foxborough? Tell us in the comments section!