Here are the commuter rail stops that the MBTA is proposing to close next year
"Technically these riders are stranded, but we do imagine many of them would divert."
The MBTA is proposing to close six commuter rail stops next year as part of the wide-ranging package of temporary service cuts proposed Monday to deal with massive, “rapidly approaching” budget shortfalls due to COVID-19.
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The plan includes some level of service reduction across all of the MBTA’s transit modes, including the elimination of all ferry service and 25 bus routes, as well as sweeping reductions across the commuter rail system.
While about 15,000 riders would lose access due to the elimination of weekend commuter rail service, as well as weekday service after 9 p.m., officials say the closure of the six stops — Plimptonville, Prides Crossing, Silver Hill, Hastings, Plymouth, and Cedar Park — will actually be relatively limited.
During a meeting Monday, the T’s chief of operations, policy, and oversight, Kat Benesh, said most the stations were chosen based on low ridership, operational time savings, and the availability of nearby alternative options. With commuter rail ridership at around a tenth of its usual pre-pandemic levels, Benesh said less than 50 riders in total used the stations.
Benesh said Monday that the “vast majority” of them should be able to access a nearby station.
“All these stations have an alternative commuter rail station that is in the same fare zone, within a two mile drive, and has parking available,” Benesh said. “Technically these riders are stranded, but we do imagine many of them would divert.”
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