FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Amtrak services could be cut in Framingham, Worcester, and Pittsfield under President Trump’s proposed budget plan, which slashes $2.4 billion from investment in transportation infrastructure.
The change would eliminated funding for Amtrak’s long distance services, which serves 500 communities across the country, including Framingham, Worcester and Pittsfield. While many spoke out against the plan online, it was difficult to find people who would be impacted by the change because of already limited services in these areas.
“Me personally, I depend on the commuter rail to get to where I go, which is South Station in Boston,” said Framingham commuter Shane Berton. “I don’t really use the Amtrak because of costs, so it’s not gonna really affect me.”
But Amtrak representatives said this is not the case for many of the communities that would be affected; in 23 of the 46 states served, these Amtrak trains are the only services offered, affecting 144.6 million Americans.
People online took notice when the issue hit the website Reddit’s Boston thread on Thursday. One man from Pittsfield wrote, “I am dependent on using the Amtrak to get to my home in Pittsfield…Ridership is high, it is almost always a sold out ride.”
Another person pointed to the list of cities that would be hardest-hit, saying "Some of those cities are shocking…Wis Dells is Wisconsin's version of the Cape. Imagine if Trump closed [Route] 6 at the bridge to the Cape due to budget cuts."
Amtrak President & CEO Wick Moorman told FOX25, “These trains connect our major regions, provide vital transportation to residents in rural communities and generate connecting passengers and revenue for our Northeast Corridor and State-Supported services. Amtrak is very focused on running efficiently - we covered 94 percent of our total network operating costs through ticket sales and other revenues in FY16 – but these services all require Federal investment.”
Moorman went on to say Amtrak is looking forward to working with President Trump, Secretary Chao, and Congress to ensure the administration understands the value of the service and impact the cuts would have on the nation’s transportation system.
In 2016, Amtrak logged 7,827 boardings in Pittsfield, 6,152 in Worcester, and 1,892 in Framingham.
The National Association of Railroad Passengers is asking people who are against the budget proposal to get in touch with their representative in Congress, saying it's the only way they may be able to save service.
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