Community Update

November
22, 2013

To
the Editor:

In
response to the letter from Mr. Olivier Kozlowski, dated November 17, MassDOT
would like to clarify its position on mode shift and public transportation in
general, and South Coast Rail in particular. 
Mr. Kozlowski’s experience and his calculations merit another look.

South
Coast Rail is, by definition, designed to move commuters to and from Boston
from Fall River, New Bedford, Freetown, Taunton, Raynham, and Easton.  By 2030, the average commute time from Boston
to Fall River and New Bedford by car is expected to exceed 120 minutes each
way; by rail, that travel time will be under 80 minutes.  The average cost of parking in Boston’s
Financial District is $450 per month, and gas (at least for now) is averaging
about $3.50 per gallon.  Based on 22
working days per month and a 20 mile-per-gallon burn rate, the cost to drive to
and from Boston and park is $41 daily.

Assuming
most commuters purchase a monthly MBTA Commuter Rail pass, the rail trip cost
is $8 each way or $16 round trip, by today’s fare schedule.  Even if the commuter lot fee is $10 a day,
the cost of traveling to and from Boston is $15 per day less than driving;
therefore, a $75 weekly savings; $300 monthly; and $3,600 annually. 

On
top of individual financial savings, and substantially reduced depreciation and
wear and tear on private vehicles, South Coast Rail will remove 300,000 vehicle
miles traveled from the Commonwealth’s already overburdened roadways.  It will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions,
and will boost economic vitality and job opportunity both within the region and
beyond.  The estimated $500 million in
annual economic development accrues to the entire state and includes
7,000-8,000 construction jobs and an anticipated 4,500 net new jobs.  The region’s labor force – already served by
the Commonwealth’s only public law school, UMass Dartmouth, and four Bristol
Community College Campuses – is a good fit for the projected economic
development potential that will be realized with the implementation of South
Coast Rail.  The tax revenues generated
from those businesses benefit everyone.

MassDOT
promotes a pronounced focus on enabling people to make healthful and
environmentally sound choices.  Walking,
biking, and public transportation remove single occupancy vehicles from
congested roads, while enhancing quality of life and public safety.  New wi fi service – and other enhancements we
can’t yet imagine – will also make the trip by train much more relaxing and
productive than sitting in traffic.    

Sincerely,

Jean
C. Fox, Project Manager, South Coast Rail