Commuter Rail Prepping for Wednesday Night Storm

Commuters should stay tuned to news outlets and T alerts for updates on service.

Although tonight's storm will likely bring more rain than snow to the area, the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad is making sure local stations are prepared.  A winter weather advisory is in effect from 7 tonight until 1 a.m. Friday. According to a press release issued Wednesday evening, the MBCR is deploying engineering crews to all commuter rail stations to clear snow and salt walkways. The MBCR said in the press release it is not anticipating any delays, but commuters should stay tuned to local media outlets, the MBTA website and MBTA's T-Alerts for updates on service.  In addition, the MBCR urges commuters to be careful while boarding and exiting trains tonight and during the morning commute Thursday. The following is a press release…

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Commuter Rail, MBTA to Stop Service at 2 p.m. Due to Sandy

Plan your trip home accordingly.

If you braved the elements and took the T or commuter rail to work this morning, pack up your stuff now: The MBTA will shut down service at 2 p.m. due to severe weather caused by Hurricane Sandy. According to the T website, the service suspension includes subway, bus and commuter rail service. Ferry service had already been suspended earlier in the day. The Ride remains open but users are "strongly encouraged" to call the contractor for their area to see if service is available.

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Increased Rail Service Starts This Month

A deal was finalized between the state and CSX that transfers ownership to the commonwealth.

Starting Oct. 29, commuter rail riders between Worcester and Boston will see an increase in options, according to Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray. Murray said an agreement had been completed with CSX to tranfer ownership of the rail tracks and control of operations along the Framingham/Worcester line from CSX to the state.  The increase in service will include three new inbound and three new outbound trains between the two cities for a total of 31 stops arriving or departing Worcester station. There will also be one inbound special express and one outbound special express next spring. The goal of 20 roundtrips will be hit a year from now, according to Murray's office. “Since the restoration of limited commuter rail service to Worcester in 1994, …

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UPDATED: Person Struck and Killed by Commuter Rail Train

The incident reportedly happened near Exit 17 on the Mass. Pike.

Update 9:27 p.m. Police are saying the man who was struck and killed tonight by a Framingham/Worcester commuter rail train was a 58-year-old Maryland resident, according to MBTA Spokesman Joe Pesaturo.  According to MBTA alerts, Framingham/Worcester commuter rail trains are facing more than 60 minute delays due to the incident. 8 p.m. MBTA Spokesman Joe Pesaturo has confirmed that a 40-year-old male railroad trespasser was struck and killed this evening by an outbound commuter rail train on the Framingham/Worcester line.  The incident happened around 6:40 p.m., Pesaturo said in an email to Newton Patch. Transit Police are currently investigating the incident.    Update 7:33 p.m.  The MBTA Transit Police have confirmed via Twitter that a …

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Commuter Rail Service Increases Coming

The state is taking over the rail lines between Boston and Worcester next month.

The 45 miles of rails between Boston and Worcester will be managed by the state starting next month, according to the telegram.com. This means more service between the two cities as well as bridge work that will allow for double-decker trains to service a longer area. According to the telegram.com, Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray said he expects transportation officials to announce service increases of 13.5 trips per day to 20 within the next year.

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Ron Goodenow

8:59 am on Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Great to see improvement in service. Long time coming. For those who didn't see it I did a photo blog here on trains through Westborough. Enjoy. Now if they could only provide a decent station.... http://westborough.patch.com/blog_posts/image-gallery-trains-thru-westborough   more ›

Patch Facts

5 Things You Need to Know Today: June 23

Today is the day to have a professional check your child's car seat. It's free, fast and could save a life — and it is taking place in Westborough.

  Each morning, Westborough Patch presents “5 Things You Need to Know,” a collection of announcements, events, reminders and odd little ditties to help you organize your day. What will you be doing today?   1. There is a free car seat check taking place today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Westborough Buick GMC, 150 Turnpike Rd. No appointment necessary. 2. AAA reported that since July 4 falls on a Wednesday, holiday travel will likely expand the traditional five-day travel period to six days. Fifty-four percent of those surveyed by the organization report that they plan to begin their trips on Friday, June 29 and Sunday, July 1. June 29 is expected to be the single biggest travel day prior to July 4. 3. The Westborough DPW mandatory water …

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Train Honoring Vets Rolls Through Westborough Today

The special MBTA train will ride through commuter rail communities over two months.

  UPDATE, June 18, 2012, 2:17 p.m. — A spokesman for the MBTA sent an email to Westborough Patch informing that the MBTA Gold Star memorial train is scheduled to roll through the Westborough commuter rail station at 5:12 p.m. The email also contained an apology for any inconvenience from the June 13 scheduled run, which was cancelled at the last minute due to technical problems.   June 13, 2012, 2 p.m. — The MBTA Gold Star memorial train will run through Westborough and stop at the Westborough commuter rail station at 5:03  and 6:32 p.m. on Wednesday, June 13. The train is red, white and blue and covered in over 150 gold stars, each with the name of a Massachusetts serviceman or woman who lost his or her life in the Iraq or Afghanistan …

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Ron Goodenow

10:23 am on Thursday, June 14, 2012

Thanks...all not well at MBTA. Budget crisis + they cannot seem to get the company they spent a zillion on to build the rail cars which should have started rolling off the line pretty soon. The company had never built cars like this before but according to the Globe it was 'well wired' in Massachusetts [hmm...I wonder what that means? :-) ] and put in a lower bid than more reliable companies. So …   more ›

Police Notes

Man Charged With Breaking Into Van at T Station

The man admitted to breaking into a van at the Westborough parking lot and taking a GPS.

  A Worcester man was arrested after breaking into a van at the Westborough commuter rail station yesterday afternoon. Westborough police were called to the MBTA station parking lot on Smith Parkway at 4:52 p.m. on Thursday, June 7. A woman reportedly said that a man with a black hat and cane was trying to break into cars in the lot. The woman stayed on the phone with police until they arrived and proceeded to point out the suspect, who was then sitting on a bench on the westbound side of the rail tracks. According to a statement from Westborough Police Chief Alan Gordon, Officer Dean Paine located a GPS inside a plastic bag that was next to the suspect. Paine also found numerous tools and a claw hammer tucked into the man’s belt. A Toyota…

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Patch Facts

5 Things You Need to Know Today: June 7

Beginning on July 1, commuter rail travelers will pay more to hop aboard in Westborough.

  Each morning, Westborough Patch presents “5 Things You Need to Know,” a collection of announcements, events, reminders and odd little ditties to help you organize your day. What will you be doing today?   1. New fares for the MBTA go into effect on July 1. Click here to see the new rates. 2. The Westborough Food Pantry welcomes donations. Food, paper or personal care products may be donated on Thursdays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and again at 7  to 8 p.m. The pantry is located in the rear of the Forbes Community Building, 9 East Main Street. 3. The Municipal Building Committee will hold a public meeting at 6 p.m. in room 23 of the Forbes Municipal Building. This meeting is free and open to the public. 4. The Westborough Senior Center Lunch …

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McGovern Fights for Commuter Benefits

Encouraging public transportation has many benefits, the congressman says.

  US Rep. James McGovern, D-MA, visited the Grafton MBTA station on May 15 to make the case for extending tax benefits for commuters. “It shouldn’t cost more to travel to work than your paycheck,’’ he said, his comments at times drowned out by the rumble of the commuter trains. Currently, commuters who drive to work and park are eligible for up to $240 in pre-tax benefits per month from their employer. By contrast, in January 2012 commuters taking mass transit such as commuter rail, subways, buses or vanpools saw their benefit drop from $230 to $125 a month. Failing to extend equivalent tax benefits to commuters only encourages people to use their own vehicles, which creates gridlock on the roads, adds to pollution and requires more fuel …

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