Hinds comments on western Mass. rail initiative announcement
Boston — Sen. Adam Hinds, D-Pittsfield, has released a statement regarding the Baker-Polito administration’s June 12 announcement regarding the creation of a western Massachusetts rail initiative:
“… the Baker-Polito Administration announced its intention to issue a request for proposals (RFP) for a feasibility study on East-West passenger rail service connecting Pittsfield to Boston, via Springfield. This has been a priority of the Massachusetts Senate and expanding the study’s scope to include all of western Mass. is something the Berkshire Legislative Delegation has stressed and secured in various legislative proposals. A pilot service for the Knowledge Corridor – connecting Greenfield, Northampton, Springfield to New York City was also announced. This service will begin next summer, in 2019. These announcements are critical for continued economic development in western Massachusetts and for connecting our Commonwealth. There must be urgency to connect our region to nearby economic centers like Albany, New York City, Springfield, Worcester and Boston – by road and rail, and with access to high speed internet and cable service. [The] announcement, paired with the ongoing efforts to prepare for a pilot season of Berkshire FLYER service shows that we’re positioning the Berkshires and western Mass. for positive economic growth. We’re moving down the right track.”
