Public Hearing on Train Service Modification at MBTA Commuter Rail's Needham Junction Station

"Needham Heights Station" by Adam Moss via Flickr.

Commuters and other interested members of the public have an opportunity to comment on a proposal for a pilot MBTA program under which the first and last trains of the day on the Needham Heights-to-South Station commuter rail would depart and terminate from Needham Junction rather than Needham Heights. 

Under consideration is a proposal that  inbound trains to South Station leave from Needham Junction (instead of Needham Heights) at 5:05 a.m. on weekdays and at 6:10 a.m. on weekends.

Also being considered is having outbound trains depart from South Station at 12:13 a.m. on weekdays and 10:15 p.m. on weekends, to terminate at Needham Junction (instead of Needham Heights). 

This image shows the current Needham Heights commuter rail schedule, inbound to South Station in Boston. A proposal is being raised to change the departure point at the times indicated by red asterisks from Needham Heights to Needham Junction.

According to a Frequently Asked Questions document provided by the Town of Needham to interested citizens, the proposed pilot intends to provide noise relief for the community while having minimal impact on transportation. Currently, there are 10 grade crossings affecting Needham residents at which federal law requires engineers to sound the train horns. The proposal would eliminate eight of the ten grade crossings, and a total of 16 horn soundings would be eliminated at the earliest and latest hours that the train operates on the Needham Heights line. The proposed times were selected based on the relatively light passenger loads at those times of day and night.

Members of the public can provide feedback in-person by attending the Needham Select Board public hearing at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 25th in the Select Board Chambers at Needham Town Hall. Remote attendance and participation is also possible by raising a virtual hand on Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82601013229?pwd=OE82V1MxQnJUZHVXZjFNbWJXRFJoQT09. Comments can also be emailed in advance of the hearing to selectboard@needhamma.gov.

The agenda for the June 25th meeting is available here. 

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