Presentation to 495/Metrowest Partnership

September 28, 2011; 8:30AM Agenda  Introductions  Study Purpose/Background  Service Alternatives  Pilot Program –Boston to Foxborough  Central Massachusetts via Framingham Secondary  Improved Providence Event Service  Findings  Discussion The I‐495/Southwest Region  Population Growth  12% (1990–2000)  5% (2000–2010)  Employment Growth  62% (1980‐2008)  Roadway congestion results in long travel times  MBTA commuter rail services approaching capacity today and projected to exceed by 2030  Seating Capacity: o Franklin Line: 79% ‐ 83% o Providence Line: 91% ‐ 98%  Parking Utilization: o Franklin Line 96% o Exceeding capacity at Forge Park/I‐495, Walpole and Endicott Study Purpose  Evaluate feasibility of expanding rail transit in southwest region of I‐495 corridor  Utilize existing public transit services or infrastructure that may be underutilized in the region (i.e., MBTA trackage rights routes; stations)  Consider lower cost options to test feasibility of service without making significant financial commitment (i.e., utilize existing rights‐of‐way; existing equipment; and parking)  Recommend improvements that will also benefit existing rail services (i.e. freight operations, event services) I‐495/Southwest Study Area Existing Conditions  Framingham Secondary  21.4 miles from Framingham (Worcester Line) to Mansfield (Northeast Corridor)  CSX owns, maintains and dispatches; MBTA has trackage rights o 3 freight trains/day Framingham to Walpole o 2 freight trains/day Walpole to Foxborough o < 1 freight train/day Foxborough to Mansfield o Special Event passenger rail service from Boston and Providence to Foxborough Station  Infrastructure: o Single track; No signal system (“dark territory”); 25 public and 8 private grade crossings; MAS is 10MPH; Foxborough Station is ADA accessible Potential Service Alternatives  Developed with MassDOT, MBTA, and 495/Metrowest Partnership  Goals  Alleviate capacity issues on the MBTA system  Advance MassDOT “GreenDOT” policy to reduce GHG emissions, promote healthy transportation options; and support smart growth development  Assist with future long‐term economic development plans and support public/private partnership opportunities in the I‐ 495/Southwest corridor  Study Alternatives  Pilot Program –Boston to Foxborough  Expanded I‐495/Southwest Regional Service Options Pilot Program –Boston to Foxborough  Reviewed 2010 Foxborough Commuter Rail Feasibility Study  Conducted Limited Infrastructure Condition Assessment  Analyzed Operational Feasibility  Identified Costs  Reviewed Ridership and Revenue Potential Operating Plan Goals  Provide:  Minimum of 3 peak period trains in peak direction (AM & PM) and some off‐peak service  Weekday service only, no weekends  Use existing infrastructure and equipment, where possible, but upgrade to 40 mph between Walpole and Foxborough  Minimize impact to Franklin Line schedule  Avoid Northeast Corridor  Utilize Fairmount Line trains Operating Plan Options  Option 1 ‐ Utilize Existing Equipment Only  9 roundtrips each weekday (3 peak period)  Fairmount Line schedule impacts (varying from 15 to 30 minutes ) • Option 2 –Requires One New Trainset  10 roundtrips each weekday (4 peak period)  Lessens impact on Fairmount Line trains  Average travel times –52 to 54 minutes

AM Peak Inbound PM Peak Outbound

Total Depart Arrive Depart Arrive Round Option Foxborough South Station South Station Foxborough Trips 5:32 AM 6:30 AM 5:25 PM 6:23 PM 1 6:37 AM 7:35 AM 6:30 PM 7:28 PM 9 8:27 AM 9:10 AM 7:45 PM 8:43 PM

5:27 AM 6:28 AM 5:00 PM 5:43 PM 6:07 AM 7:05 AM 5:55 PM 6:53 PM 2 10 6:37 AM 7:35 AM 6:30 PM 7:28 PM 8:27 AM 9:10 AM 7:45 PM 8:43 PM Infrastructure Needs

 Track  Drainage  Signals  Grade crossings  New mainline track at Foxborough Station  One new trainset (one locomotive and six coaches) Cost Estimates  Work already underway or planned includes track and drainage work, upgrades to Walpole Interlocking  Remaining work includes signals, grade crossing systems and Foxborough Station track/layover  Range of Order‐of‐Magnitude Capital Cost Estimate for infrastructure improvements: $5.9M ‐ $10.6M  Additional $20M to acquire new trainset, if needed  O&M Costs for vehicles: approximately $1.7M/year for Option 1 and $3.7M/year for Option 2 Ridership & Revenue Assessment  Reviewed CTPS ridership analysis from 2010 study  Estimated 990 boardings at Foxborough Station  Free parking provided initially  Foxborough Station –Zone 5 fare  Weekday and weekend service  Travel time –58 minutes to Boston  Revenue: $2.3M annually systemwide Ridership & Revenue Assessment (cont’d)

No-Build Revenue with Annual Revenue  In consultation with MBTA, Revenue* Pilot Program Increase established Fare 6 fare for Foxborough Station $19,721,420 $21,589,536 $1,868,116  Utilizing CTPS ridership forecasts, projected potential revenue compared to No‐ Build  MBTA Fare Recovery Ratio for Station Revenue Annual Fare Ratio commuter rail is 49.6% Increase O&M Cost Recovery Pilot $1,868,116 $1.7M 109%  If parking fees were applied, Program – Option 1 anticipate that ridership Pilot $1,868,116 $3.6M 52% Program – would decrease by 20% for $2 Option 2 fee and 45% for $4 fee. Schedule for Implementation Expanded I‐495/Southwest Regional Service Options  Central Massachusetts Expanded Passenger Rail Service  Event Service  Full‐Time Commuter Rail  Improved Providence Event Service Central Massachusetts Service  Communities include, but not limited to,: Worcester, Shrewsbury, Westborough, Hopkinton, Southborough, Ashland and Framingham  Worcester is 2nd largest city in MA, 180k + residents  Strong population base along the MBTA’s Worcester Line  Region experiences highway congestion  Potential for development in the I‐495/Southwest region  Ticket sales in Foxborough indicate demand potential for thousands of people for event service(s) Central Massachusetts Event Service  Shorter‐term option for passenger rail service  Estimated Travel times  28 minutes from Framingham to Foxborough  1 hour 15 minutes from Worcester to Foxborough  Infrastructure improvements for 40mph from Framingham to Foxborough include track, drainage, grade crossings (no signals or equipment)  Estimated capital costs: approximately $17.4M  Welcome option to long travel times, increasing fuel costs, and $40 for parking at events  Additional analysis still needed, but feasible option Central Massachusetts Full‐Time Service  Longer‐term alternative to introduce regional commuter rail service along Framingham to Mansfield corridor  Upgrades for 60mph MAS would be required, as well as numerous other infrastructure improvements such as stations, drainage, grade crossings, signal systems, layover, etc., which would be a significant investment  Travel times could be 22 minutes from Framingham to Foxborough and 7 minutes from Foxborough to Mansfield  Additional analysis and full operating plan recommended as next steps Improved Providence Event Service  Existing event service:  Strong demand, sells out regularly  1 train from Providence to Foxborough  10mph speed limitations on Framingham Secondary  Travel time from Providence to Foxborough is 1 hour (from Mansfield to Foxborough is 28 minutes)  Infrastructure improvements could:  Increase speeds to 40mph  Reduce travel times by approximately 20 minutes Providence Event Service –  Infrastructure Improvements would include: track, drainage, grade crossings, and Foxborough Station track and platform modifications  Estimated order‐of‐magnitude capital cost for improvements ranges from $14.6M to $16.8M Discussion