Worcester officials and transportation advocates are pressing for a faster, more reliable commuter rail system, releasing a new report Monday that lays out a long-term vision for improving passenger rail service between Worcester and Boston.
The report, prepared by the Worcester MBTA Working Group, calls for restoring express trains, reducing travel times and investing in infrastructure to strengthen the Worcester-Framingham commuter rail line as the city continues to grow.
The working group was created in 2024 by Mayor Joe Petty and City Manager Eric Batista to advocate for preserving, expanding and modernizing passenger rail service. City officials said the report is intended to serve as a roadmap for future discussions with the MBTA, MassDOT and state leaders.
“The Worcester-Framingham Line is essential to the economic future of our city and region, which is why Mayor Petty and I pushed for the creation of this working group,” Batista said in the city’s announcement. “I want to thank the group for creating this report which will act as an important roadmap as we continue to advocate for the investment our line needs.”
One of the report’s primary concerns is the reduction in express service following the COVID-19 pandemic, a change that has lengthened trips between Worcester and Boston for many commuters. While restoring express trains is a priority, the report also looks beyond today’s service, identifying infrastructure improvements aimed at preventing delays and accommodating future growth.
Among the recommendations are continued upgrades to aging signal systems, new locomotives equipped with modern amenities such as Wi-Fi, improved digital signage at stations and the elimination of speed restrictions that slow trains along portions of the route. According to the city, the MBTA is expected to complete $22 million in signal improvements by the end of the year.
Mayor Joe Petty said the rail line plays a critical role in connecting Central Massachusetts with Greater Boston.
“This rail line is more than just a transit route; it is a vital bridge that benefits both Worcester and Boston,” Petty said in the announcement. “By working collaboratively with MassDOT and the MBTA, we will ensure that our riders are prioritized and that Central Massachusetts realizes its full economic potential through a modernized, reliable commuter experience.”
State Rep. Dan Donahue said the report builds on years of investment in commuter rail while helping keep attention focused on Worcester’s transportation needs.
“The Worcester MBTA Taskforce draws on decades of investment and expansion to the Worcester line, and advocates for continued attention and improvements,” Donahue said in the announcement.
The Worcester Regional Research Bureau, which contributed research to the effort, said the timing is significant as major transportation projects continue to reshape rail service across the state.
“Our commuter rail service is at a key transformation with the Allston project and West East rail,” Executive Director Paul Matthews said in the announcement, adding that the region has benefited from collaboration among local, state and regional leaders.
Richard Burke, chair of the Worcester MBTA Working Group, said the group’s mission is to ensure the needs of Central Massachusetts remain at the forefront as future decisions are made.
“It is critical that we keep the focus on the needs of Central Massachusetts at a time when important decisions that will affect Worcester are being made by the MBTA and MassDOT,” Burke said in the announcement.
Tim Murray, president and CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, said commuter rail improvements have helped fuel Worcester’s economic and housing growth over the past two decades and argued that continued investment will be essential to sustaining that momentum.
City officials said the working group continue to advocate at the local, state and federal levels for investments intended to improve service while minimizing disruptions for riders.
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