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Watchfull_Hosemaster t1_isyrid7 wrote

No, I don't think that it's needed right now. They should work on building out the WRTA bus system first and have a connector between the WRTA and MART systems. Maybe have a WRTA bus route between Union Station and the Fitchburg multi-modal station.

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There needs to be enormous demand to justify a massive project like a new commuter rail line.

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AreYouNobody_Too t1_it0gkv8 wrote

> Maybe have a WRTA bus route between Union Station and the Fitchburg multi-modal station.

Nah. If the WRTA makes any changes, they should be cutting routes so that they're more condensed and focused on serving high frequency corridors in the city limits over sprawling geographies where ridership is lower. Get the city right first and immediate suburbs right first - high frequency service, rapid lanes, high traffic corridors.

The furthest out stops should be right now are places like Shrewsbury, Auburn, Cherry Valley, West Boylston, Holden, etc. Direct routes right into the city for commuters to have an option where they can avoid hopping on 290/190.

Once we actually get ridership and reliability established, then explore those connectors.

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HRJafael OP t1_isys9f9 wrote

I can see an express bus route between the two if they worked it out.

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NativeSon508 t1_it8apwr wrote

Or be forward thinking and not wait till there’s an over abundance of demand and then do something about it.

Like our highways, there was t a huge demand from Oxford and Webster to have 395. But since it’s been here the towns along it have increased population well above those who don’t have access.

Building rail lines ahead of time helps “city/urban planners” establish and organize burbs or urban areas ahead of time so we don’t end up with the disasters that are the up and down, left and right mess that are Worcester streets.

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Toobsie t1_itr9nn8 wrote

I've taken the MART shuttle from Union Station to Fitchburg, it's great and $5--just only runs a couple of times a day. Underutilized service.

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