Sign up for the Today newsletter
Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox every morning.
More than 1,000 voted: Why readers oppose a federal takeover of South Station
“South Station belongs to Boston.”
After a Trump administration official hinted at a federal takeover of South Station last week, Boston.com readers were quick to decry the idea.
“South Station belongs to Boston and reflects on Boston and Massachusetts. The federal government is just trying to continue their power grab and needs to keep their hands out of Massachusetts” reader Mike M. said.
During an Aug. 27 event unveiling NextGen Acela trains at South Station, Deputy Director of Transportation Steven Bradbury said the federal government would consider taking over other stations along the East Coast, like it has for Union Station in Washington D.C.
Advertisement:
“Here in South Boston, we need to address the cleanliness, the crime, the safety, and security of the station for the rail workers, for the passengers, because the people of Boston deserve that,” Bradbury said, according to The Boston Globe. “All the people up and down the Northeast corridor and Americans who travel on these trains, they need and deserve beautiful rail facilities.”
More than 1,000 Boston.com readers weighed in, with 64% of the 1,080 respondents saying the federal government should not take over South Station, while 33% said they should.
Should the federal government take over South Station to fix crime and cleanliness issues?
Yes
33%
No
64%
I don't know
3%
Several readers who use South Station regularly to commute refuted Bradbury’s claims that the station – which is managed by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) – has crime and cleanliness issues.
Advertisement:
“I use South Station every day and don’t see crime or cleanliness issues. The station is going through renovations which make it appear that way, but the point is that change is already underway, ” Andrew from Marshfield said.
In a statement to reporters on Aug. 28, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu called into question the legality of a potential federal takeover of the transportation hub.
“South Station is not the property of the federal government and there’s no legal way for anything like that to happen,” Wu said.
Readers like Ben D. from Dover agreed with Wu’s skepticism, arguing that a federal takeover could be unconstitutional.
“This is not the sort of power the federal government is given by the Constitution, and the 10th Amendment would suggest that it is therefore reserved for the State (or the people),” he said.
Gov. Maura Healey also called the Trump administration officials’ comments “outrageous” and said the suggested takeover “has nothing to do with transportation or safety.”
“It’s more political theater, more political power grabs from Donald Trump. We don’t need or want his interference here. We’re not going to let the guy who went bankrupt six times take over our train stations,” Healey said in the statement.
Advertisement:
However, readers who supported the idea of a federal takeover said South Station needs more help than it’s currently getting from local and state sources.
“MBTA has their hands full keeping trains running. They need all the help they can get,” Tom P. from Winchester said.
Below, readers share their thoughts on a South Station federal takeover.
Responses have been lightly edited for grammar and clarity.
Should the federal government take over South Station to fix crime and cleanliness issues?
No
‘There is no significant crime that affects the public’
“I don’t see any cleanliness issues at South Station, and I’ve never felt unsafe there, even when our very late Amtrak arrived at 5:00 a.m. a few years ago.” – Karen, Allston
“As someone who has regularly commuted through every transit form at South Station for ten years there is no significant crime that affects the public in South Station, which has police presence continually. The station is no less safe than Harvard Square, North Station, etc.
While some may complain about seeing neighbors who are houseless getting warm or drinking a cup of coffee, hating homeless people or folks struggling with mental health isn’t criminal and Trump can’t fix this bias with a takeover of the station.” – L., Boston
“There is no need. South Station is already in pretty good shape, especially given that a major construction project is in progress. Once the station is no longer a construction zone, the station will look great and there should be no need for federal interference.” – Shirley D., Dorchester
‘The federal government does not own South Station’
“The federal government does not own South Station; the taxpayers of Massachusetts own the station and railroad right- of-way. Crime and safety are non issues at South Station train and bus stations which are patrolled by MBTA and Amtrak Police, both have offices onsite. The station is in the final stages of new redevelopment, there is not an infrastructure problem.” – Bill R., Rockland
“The federal government has no business taking over anything in Boston that they don’t currently have jurisdiction over.” – Patty F., Foxborough
“Any type of federal takeover is a flagrant violation of the Posse Comitatus Act and clearly unconstitutional.” – A.C., Boston
“This federal government is looking for any reason to take more power, specifically for a back door into controlling states like Massachusetts. This is a big fat no from me. Huge government overreach.” – G.C., Cape Cod
‘These are local issues and are best managed locally’
“These are local issues and are best managed locally. Federal input to aid in uniform standards might be useful but this politically-biased and ham-handed showboating run is not useful and is a waste of tax dollars.” – Derrick A., Watertown
“We have federal issues and need global leadership. I don’t want the National Guard doing beautification when they could be used as intended for national security and domestic help when called upon. If you are serious about city problems, fund housing and help poor people. Build community policing or have the National Guard join true crime areas instead of tourist locations.” – M.B., Roslindale
“There’s no chance that any federal personnel will do anything to improve any railroad station anywhere in the US – and especially not in a Democrat-leaning state. The Feds are not in contact with travelers, they know nothing about delivering or improving the services. This is just political grandstanding!” – Justin J., North Shore
‘Whatever happened to a small government?’
“The federal government sure seems to be taking over a lot of things – unnecessarily, and at great taxpayer cost. Whatever happened to a small government? Leaving things to the states? Those have been the conservative mantras for a long time. What’s being done now is just the opposite.” – Jennifer, Peabody
“Trump is threatening to take over South Station to ‘fix’ crime and cleanliness – neither of which are actual problems. It’s exhausting watching this government act like they understand cities, just to paint this bleak picture that scares suburban voters…The GOP loves to preach states’ rights, yet here’s Trump trying to override local control, sending in the National Guard, and manufacturing crises. It’s performative and dangerous.” – Corey D., South Boston
Yes
‘There are very real and significant safety concerns’
“There are very real and significant safety concerns. And we shouldn’t suddenly forget those just because Trump is pointing his finger at South Station. If they can really put federal money in and do the needed repairs and upgrades, and it isn’t all just theater, then I say go for it. And at this point, what do we have to lose? … I am not sure this particular take over would be an improvement, as it arises in highly partisan times, but we definitely ought to be honest about the state of South Station if this conversation is going to happen and not pretend it isn’t a total disaster.” – B.D., North Shore
“It needs to be cleaner and safer inside and out. We are a major city, let’s get the homeless and riff raff out of this transportation hub.” – Doreen F., Medford
“South Station is a mess and needs to be cleaned up and cleared out. President Trump is the successful builder who can do it.” – Bob, Billerica
“The city has allowed too much crime and homelessness in South Station. I feel unsafe there and at NY Penn Station. Let the federal government fix these issues if local leaders choose not to.” – J.D., Quincy
“South Station is an embarrassment to the city of Boston. It’s a terrible first impression for those leaving from the beautiful, safe, and clean Moynihan terminal in NYC. Open drug use and dealing as well as aggressive panhandling within South Station and surrounding plaza is rampant. The Transit Police don’t seem to really care either.” – Scott J., Boston
‘Let the feds pay for South Station upgrades’
“The MBTA should be privatized, starting with maintenance. It’s a drain on state revenue and a haven for patronage and bloated union contracts.” – Bob, Holbrook
“Let the feds pay for South Station upgrades. Spend MBTA money on other pressing needs.” – Chris Z., Boston
“It should be taken over to ensure that the work gets done and that the station is safe for commuters.” – K.B., Hamilton
Boston.com occasionally interacts with readers by conducting informal polls and surveys. These results should be read as an unscientific gauge of readers’ opinion.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com