Editing MBTA Commuter Rail (section)

== Previous proposals ==
These projects stem from past expansion and improvement studies, as well as service proposals from various constituencies, but none have been advanced or approved by the MBTA.

=== Extension studies ===
Two extensions of existing lines have been studied in the 2020s:
*Extension of the Middleborough/Lakeville Line to [[Buzzards Bay station|Buzzards Bay]] or [[Sagamore station|Sagamore]] (both in [[Bourne, Massachusetts|Bourne]]) to serve [[Cape Cod]] was studied in 1997, and extension to Buzzards Bay was again studied in 2007.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/bourne-commuter-rail-feasibility-study-1997 |title=Bourne Commuter Rail Feasibility Study |date=March 1997 |last=Humphrey |first=Thomas J. |publisher=Central Transportation Planning Staff}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/buzzards-bay-commuter-rail-extension-feasibility-study |title=Buzzards Bay Commuter Rail Extension Feasibility Study |date=January 2007 |last=Humphrey |first=Thomas J. |publisher=Central Transportation Planning Staff}}</ref> The extension was again proposed after the 2013 introduction of the CapeFLYER. The town of Bourne voted in 2015 to join the MBTA district.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2016/02/15/this-cape-cod-town-paying-for-rail-service-that-doesn-exist/eZFnsoYKObHQ8Vd8oFPXkK/story.html |title=This Cape Cod town is paying for rail service that doesn't exist |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=February 15, 2016 |last=Vaccaro |first=Adam |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216092048/http://boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2016/02/15/this-cape-cod-town-paying-for-rail-service-that-doesn-exist/eZFnsoYKObHQ8Vd8oFPXkK/story.html |archive-date=February 16, 2016}}</ref> MassDOT began planning a possible commuter rail trial service in October 2015.<ref name="rausch">{{cite news |url=http://www.capenews.net/bourne/news/details-expected-soon-about-buzzards-bay-commuter-trains/article_d07d5ba8-314f-5935-9332-09c03b99ae4a.html |title=Details Expected Soon About Buzzards Bay Commuter Trains |newspaper=Cape News |first=Michael J. |last=Rausch |date=February 26, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191130002938/http://www.capenews.net/bourne/news/details-expected-soon-about-buzzards-bay-commuter-trains/article_d07d5ba8-314f-5935-9332-09c03b99ae4a.html |archive-date=November 30, 2019}}</ref> The proposed service, which was to have shuttle trains between Bourne and {{bts|Middleborough/Lakeville}} operated by [[Massachusetts Coastal Railroad]], was rejected by the MBTA Fiscal Management and Control Board in April 2016.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://commonwealthmagazine.org/transportation/t-approves-n-quincy-real-estate-deal/ |title=T approves N. Quincy real estate deal: Rejects test of daily commuter service to Cape Cod |newspaper=Commonwealth Magazine |date=April 4, 2016 |first=Bruce |last=Mohl |access-date=December 29, 2022}}</ref> [[Middleborough station]], which replaced Middleborough/Lakeville in 2025 when South Coast Rail service began, was built with space for a potential future platform for shuttle trains.<ref name="scr-dseir">{{cite book |url=https://www.mass.gov/doc/south-coast-rail-dseir-full-report/download |chapter=Chapter 2 – Alternatives Analysis |title=South Coast Rail Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Report |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation |date=January 31, 2018 |author=VHB/HNTB}}</ref>{{rp|37}} A 2021 study analyzed two alternatives for service to Buzzards Bay or [[Bourne station]]. Middleborough–Buzzards Bay shuttle service with 7 daily round trips was expected to have 1,710 total daily boardings, while Middleborough–Bourne service with 10 daily round trips (including two off-peak Boston–Bourne round trips) was expected to have 2,540 total daily boardings.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cape Rail Study |url=https://www.capecodcommission.org/resource-library/file/?url=/dept/commission/team/Website_Resources/transportation/Transit/Cape%20Rail%20Study%20Report.pdf |publisher=Cape Cod Commission |date=September 2021 |page=ES{{hyphen}}3}}</ref>
*Extension of the Lowell Line to [[Union Station (Manchester, New Hampshire)|Manchester]] and [[Nashua, New Hampshire]] has been proposed since the 1980–81 pilot service.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://stateimpact.npr.org/new-hampshire/2013/02/26/a-new-push-for-commuter-rail/ |title=A New Push For Commuter Rail |newspaper=New Hampshire Public Radio |date=February 26, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130304094215/https://stateimpact.npr.org/new-hampshire/2013/02/26/a-new-push-for-commuter-rail/ |archive-date=March 4, 2013 |first=Sheryl |last=Rich-Kern}}</ref> The extension has been a politically contentious issue at the state level in New Hampshire, with Democratic politicians supporting the service and Republican politicians opposing it.<ref name="nhbr">{{cite news |url=https://www.nhbr.com/new-hampshire-executive-council-oks-start-of-capitol-corridor-design/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201228174630/https://www.nhbr.com/new-hampshire-executive-council-oks-start-of-capitol-corridor-design/ |archive-date=December 28, 2020 |date=December 22, 2020 |title=New Hampshire Executive Council OKs start of Capitol Corridor design |newspaper=New Hampshire Business Review |first=Michael |last=Kitch}}</ref> A 2014 alternatives analysis recommended several possible services, including commuter rail to Nashua or Manchester or [[intercity rail]] to Concord, for further evaluation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nh.gov/dot/org/aerorailtransit/railandtransit/corridor-rail-transit.htm |title=New Hampshire Capitol Corridor Rail and Transit Alternatives Analysis |date=December 2014 |publisher=New Hampshire Department of Transportation}}</ref> Engineering and design work for commuter service to Manchester began in late 2020, and was completed in February 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nashua - Manchester 40818 {{!}} Project Specific Information {{!}} Project Center {{!}} NH Department of Transportation |url=https://www.nh.gov/dot/projects/nashuamanchester40818/index.htm |access-date=2023-03-12 |website=www.nh.gov}}</ref> In August 2023, New Hampshire Governor candidate Joyce Craig made a public statement endorsing the project as part of her campaign.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sexton |first=Adam |date=2023-08-30 |title=Craig says she will bring commuter rail to New Hampshire if elected governor |url=https://www.wmur.com/article/craig-commuter-rail-new-hampshire-governor/44954512 |access-date=2023-11-03 |website=WMUR |language=en}}</ref>

Several other extensions of existing lines and restoration of service to disused lines have been studied in the past:
{{div col||colwidth=40em}}
*[[Providence/Stoughton Line#Extensions|Extension of the Providence/Stoughton Line]] to [[Westerly station|Westerly, Rhode Island]] (studied in 2001 and 2017)<ref name="RIDOT2001">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416051517/http://www.dot.ri.gov/documents/intermodal/OperationsPlanMaster2.pdf |archive-date=April 16, 2009 |url=http://www.dot.ri.gov/documents/intermodal/OperationsPlanMaster2.pdf |title=South County Commuter Rail Service Plan |date=July 2001 |publisher=Rhode Island Department of Transportation |author=Edwards and Kelcey, Inc}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.citycentrewarwick.com/sites/default/files/FRA-%20Feasibility%20Study%20for%20Intercity%20Rail%20Service%20to%20T.F.%20Green%20Airport-%202017_0.pdf |title=Feasibility Study for Intercity Rail Service to T.F. Green Airport |date=April 2017 |publisher=Amtrak and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation}}</ref>
*[[Franklin/Foxboro Line#Milford extension|Extension of the Franklin Line]] to [[Milford, Massachusetts|Milford]] (studied in 1997)<ref name=milford1997 /> or [[Woonsocket, Rhode Island]] (studied in 2007)<ref name=Woonsocket2007>{{cite web |url=http://www.gcpvd.org/images/other/woonsocket_commuterrail_report.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402183147/http://www.gcpvd.org/images/other/woonsocket_commuterrail_report.pdf |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |title=Commuter Rail Feasibility Study |year=2007 |publisher=City of Woonsocket |author=Jacobs Edwards and Kelcey}}</ref>
*Restoration of service on the [[Millis Branch]] to {{bts|Millis}} (studied in 1998)<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/millis-commuter-rail-extension-feasibility-study-1998/mode/2up |title=Millis Commuter Rail Extension Feasibility Study |date=March 1998 |last=Humphrey |first=Thomas J. |publisher=Central Transportation Planning Staff}}</ref>
*Restoration of service on the [[Milford Branch]] to Milford (studied in 1990 and 1997)<ref name=metrowest1990>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/commuter-rail-extension-feasibility-study-framingham-worcester-milford-marlborough.-1990/mode/2up |title=Commuter Rail Extension Feasibility Study: Framingham to Worcester, Milford & Marlborough |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |date=January 1990 |author=Stone & Webster}}</ref><ref name=milford1997>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/milford-commuter-rail-extension-feasibility-study-1998/mode/2up |title=Milford Commuter Rail Extension Feasibility Study |date=July 1997 |last=Humphrey |first=Thomas J. |publisher=Central Transportation Planning Staff}}</ref>
*Restoration of service on the [[Fitchburg Secondary]] to [[Marlborough, Massachusetts|Marlborough]] (studied in 1990)<ref name=metrowest1990 /> or [[Northborough, Massachusetts|Northborough]]/[[Interstate 290 (Massachusetts)|I-290]] (studied in 2002)<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/i-290-northborough-commuter-rail-extension-feasibility-study_202203/mode/2up |title=I-290/ Northborough Commuter Rail Extension Feasibility Study |date=April 2002 |last=Humphrey |first=Thomas J. |publisher=Central Transportation Planning Staff}}</ref>
*Rerouting of some Framingham/Worcester Line service to North Station via the [[Grand Junction Branch]] (studied in 2012)<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/wgjfinal-report |title=Grand Junction Transportation Feasibility Study |publisher=Central Transportation Planning Staff |date=July 2012}}</ref>
*Restoration of service on the [[Central Massachusetts Railroad#MBTACentralMassBranch|Central Mass Branch]] to [[Berlin, Massachusetts|Berlin]]/[[Interstate 495 (Massachusetts)|I-495]] (studied in 1996)<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/central-mass-commuter-rail-feasibility-study-1996/mode/2up |title=Central Mass Commuter Rail Feasibility Study |date=December 1996 |last=Humphrey |first=Thomas J. |publisher=Central Transportation Planning Staff}}</ref>
*Restoration of service on the [[Lexington Branch]] to {{bts|Bedford}} (studied in 1985)<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.bedforddepot.org/history/study/index.html |title=M.B.T.A. Lexington Branch Railroad Right-of-Way Study |date=1985 |author=Vollmer Associates |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |access-date=November 17, 2022 |archive-date=December 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220095933/http://bedforddepot.org/history/study/index.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*Extension of the Fitchburg Line to {{bts|Gardner}} (studied in 2005)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mbta.com/projects_underway/pdf/Fitchburg/Fitchburg_Expansion_Main.pdf |archive-date=March 18, 2006 |title=Fitchburg Commuter Rail Line Service Expansion Study |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |date=February 2005 |author=McMahon Associates  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060318010516/http://www.mbta.com/projects_underway/pdf/Fitchburg/Fitchburg_Expansion_Main.pdf |pages=27–28}}</ref>
*[[Haverhill Line#Plaistow|Extension of the Haverhill Line]] to [[Plaistow, New Hampshire]] (studied in 2015)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nh.gov/dot/org/aerorailtransit/railandtransit/plaistow-rail-study/index.htm |title=Plaistow Commuter Rail Extension Study |publisher=New Hampshire Department of Transportation |date=March 2015}}</ref>
*Extension of the Newburyport/Rockport Line to [[Portsmouth, New Hampshire]] (studied in 1988 and 1999)<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040718182048/http://www.rpc-nh.org/PDFs/docs/HampBranchFeasStudy.pdf |archive-date=July 18, 2004 |date=June 30, 1999 |title=Hampton Branch Commuter Rail Feasibility Study |publisher=Seacoast Metropolitan Planning Organization |url=http://www.rpc-nh.org/PDFs/docs/HampBranchFeasStudy.pdf}}</ref>
*Restoration of service on the [[Essex Railroad|Peabody Branch]] between {{bts|Salem}} and [[Danvers, Massachusetts|Danvers]] (studied in 2004)<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100226153137/http://www.mbta.com/about_the_mbta/t_projects/default.asp?id=1012 |archive-date=February 26, 2010 |title=North Shore Transit Improvements Project Major Investment Study |date=March 2004 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |author=PB/DMJM+HARRIS, Joint Venture |url=http://www.mbta.com/about_the_mbta/t_projects/default.asp?id=1012}}</ref>
*Restoration of service on the [[Manchester and Lawrence Railroad|Manchester and Lawrence Branch]] between [[Lawrence, Massachusetts]] and [[Manchester, New Hampshire]] (studied in 2009)<ref>{{cite report |author=HNTB Corporation |date=November 2009 |title=I-93 Corridor Multi-Modal Transit Investment Study |publisher=New Hampshire Department of Transportation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907001809/http://www.nh.gov/dot/programs/i93transit/documents/I-93TransitStudy.pdf |archive-date=September 7, 2015 |url=http://www.nh.gov/dot/programs/i93transit/documents/I-93TransitStudy.pdf}}</ref>
*Restoration of service on the [[Dighton and Somerset  Railroad]] between [[Stoughton station|Stoughton]] and [[East Taunton station|East Taunton]] (studied in 1988, 1990, 1995, 2007 and 2009)<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36783631/the_boston_globe/ |title=MBTA plans for big increase in rail service |newspaper=Boston Globe |author=Howe, Peter J. |date=January 24, 1988 |via=Newspapers.com |page=B1}} {{open access}}</ref><ref> name=1995report>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728060409/http://www.southcoastrail.com/downloads/NBFR_CommuterRail_Expanded_Feasibility-Study_Draft_Report_March_1995.pdf |archive-date=July 28, 2014 |url=http://www.southcoastrail.com/downloads/NBFR_CommuterRail_Expanded_Feasibility-Study_Draft_Report_March_1995.pdf |title=Expanded Feasibility Study: Draft Report |date=March 1995 |work=New Bedford/Fall River Commuter Rail Project |author=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref><ref name=1997report>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/1997-new-bedford-fall-river-expanded-alternatives-analysis |chapter=Executive Summary |pages=i–v |title=Expanded Alternatives Analysis Report |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |date=March 1997}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eot.state.ma.us/downloads/SCR_plan040407.pdf |title=South Coast Rail: A Plan For Action |author=Patrick, Deval |publisher=Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation |date=4 April 2007 |access-date=15 October 2013 |display-authors=etal |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719020048/http://www.eot.state.ma.us/downloads/SCR_plan040407.pdf |archive-date=19 July 2011 }}</ref><ref name=corridor>{{cite book |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207013210/http://southcoastrail.com/downloads/3%20-%20South%20Coast%20Rail%20Corridor%20Plan%20-%20Low%20Resolution.pdf |archive-date=December 7, 2013 |date=June 2009 |title=South Coast Rail Economic Development and Land Use Corridor Plan |url=http://southcoastrail.com/downloads/3%20-%20South%20Coast%20Rail%20Corridor%20Plan%20-%20Low%20Resolution.pdf |publisher=Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation and Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development}}</ref>
*[[Fall River/New Bedford Line#South Coast Rail|Extension of the Fall River/New Bedford Line]] to downtown [[Fall River, Massachusetts|Fall River]] near [[Battleship Cove station|Battleship Cove]] (studied in 2008 and 2013)<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104101038/http://www.southcoastrail.com/downloads/Battleship_Cove_Station_Layout.pdf |archivedate=January 4, 2014 |url=http://www.southcoastrail.com/downloads/Battleship_Cove_Station_Layout.pdf |title=Fall River - Battleship Cove Rail Alternative |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation |date=June 30, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Portals/74/docs/topics/SouthCoastRail/VolII/3AlternativesFigures.pdf |work=Volume II: FEIS/FEIR Figures Final Environmental Impact Statement/Final Environmental Impact Report on the South Coast Rail Project proposed by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation |title=Figure 3.2-29 Battleship Cove Station Conceptual Station Design |date=August 2013 |publisher=U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New England District}}</ref>{{div col end}}

=== Infill stations ===
Several [[infill station]]s on existing lines are proposed:
*[[West Station (MBTA)|West Station]] is a proposed Framingham/Worcester Line station to serve the [[Beacon Park Yard]] redevelopment.<ref name="Annear">{{cite news |last=Annear |first=Steve |title=Take A Ride On The MBTA's "New Indigo Line" In 2024 |url=http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/blog/2014/01/09/massdot-capital-plan-proposal/ |newspaper=[[Boston Magazine]] |date=January 9, 2014 |archive-date=October 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023004817/http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/blog/2014/01/09/massdot-capital-plan-proposal/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[South Salem station]] is a proposed Newburyport/Rockport Line station near [[Salem State University]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/salemnews.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/e/2f/e2fdad2c-aac1-11e6-95d8-bfd471ccf589/582a48fe316c0.pdf.pdf |title=South Salem Stop: Conceptual Design Update |publisher=The Salem Partnership |date=November 14, 2016}}</ref>
=== North–South Rail Link ===
No direct connection exists between the two downtown commuter rail terminals; passengers must use the [[MBTA subway]] or other modes to transfer between the two halves of the system. (For non-revenue transfers of equipment, the MBTA and Amtrak use the [[Grand Junction Railroad and Depot Company|Grand Junction Branch]].) The proposed [[North–South Rail Link]] would add a new rail tunnel under downtown Boston to allow through-running service, with new underground stations at South Station, North Station, and possibly [[Aquarium station (MBTA)#Central Station proposal|a new Central Station]]. A feasibility study was conducted in 2018.<ref>{{cite web |date=June 2018 |title=North South Rail Link Feasibility Reassessment |url=https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2018/06/29/NSRLJun18_PubPres.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191130002146/https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2018/06/29/NSRLJun18_PubPres.pdf |archive-date=2019-11-30 |access-date=2021-04-12 |publisher=MassDOT}}</ref>