MBTA approves pilot daily Commuter Rail service to Foxborough

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The MBTA voted Monday 4-1 to launch a one-year pilot commuter rail service to Foxborough.

The program would extend eight existing Fairmount Line trains and one existing Franklin Line train from South Station to Foxborough Station and back.

The program wouldn't alter or compromise any current service, according to the MBTA.

The program would begin in late 2018 or early 2019. IIt would use existing infrastructure and wouldn't require any unplanned capital investment.

Members of the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board discussed the costs, anticipated number of riders and any possible impact on existing service.

The MBTA anticipates about 150 weekday risers to board at Foxborough. Not all of them will be new riders, though some will.

The project has been controversial, with people who live near the tracks expressing concern over the noise. 

Patriots Owner Robert Kraft originally proposed the idea more than two years ago.

The Kraft Group sent Boston 25 News the following statement regarding the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board's pilot program:

“There is tremendous opportunity and widespread support for establishing weekday commuter rail service to Foxborough. Today’s vote by the Fiscal and Management Control Board is a positive step toward the Commonwealth and the region attaining the economic, transportation and environmental benefits that come with this type of public transit. This includes the potential for 3 million square feet of new development  throughout the region with additional employment opportunities of up to 12,000 new full-time jobs and $41 million in additional annual state taxes. We look forward to working with the Town of Foxborough and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation on forming a new, public-private partnership to initiate piloted commuter rail service.”

Cox Media Group