City of Worcester, MA

WORCESTER, Mass. – The City of Worcester hosted a press conference on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026 to share the findings in a recent report compiled by the Worcester MBTA Working Group. The Working Group was established in 2024 by Mayor Joseph M. Petty and City Manager Eric D. Batista to advocate for the preservation, expansion, and modernization of passenger rail service. The report breaks down what is needed to ensure Worcester has a rail service that best meets its needs now and into the future.

“The Worcester-Framingham Line is essential to the economic future of our city and region, which is why Mayor Petty and I pushed for the creation of this working group,” City Manager Eric D. Batista said.  “I want to thank the group for creating this report which will act as an important roadmap as we continue to advocate for the investment our line needs. Worcester has experienced unprecedented growth in the past decade, but it can only continue if we have the infrastructure necessary to support it.”

"I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the members of the Worcester MBTA Working Group for their time, attention, and care for our daily commuters,” Mayor Joseph M. Petty said. “This rail line is more than just a transit route; it is a vital bridge that benefits both Worcester and Boston. By working collaboratively with MassDOT and the MBTA, we will ensure that our riders are prioritized and that Central Massachusetts realizes its full economic potential through a modernized, reliable commuter experience." 

The report focuses on the group’s recommendations regarding elevating the passenger experience, shortening travel times, and building a more resilient transit network. The group is working to tackle a post-pandemic decrease in express service to the region, which has increased overall travel times between Worcester and Boston.  

That has meant not just looking at addressing the issue now by advocating for the restoration of express trips but also anticipating what could impact travel times in the future. The group is working to support the MBTA, who has members in the group along with MassDOT, as it works to upgrade its aging infrastructure to prevent systemic delays, including modernizing signalization, securing new locomotives with modern amenities like Wi-Fi, modernizing digital signage at stations, and the removal of physical speed restrictions along the tracks. The MBTA will have spent $22 million on signalization improvements by the end of the year. 

All of the group’s recommendations prioritize an efficient transportation network that puts the passenger first. 

"I want to thank Mayor Petty and City Manager Eric Batista for convening this incredible and dedicated group of leaders for this taskforce,” Rep. Dan Donahue said. “The Worcester MBTA Taskforce draws on decades of investment and expansion to the Worcester line, and advocates for continued attention and improvements.  Staying focused on the line will allow the City to address issues as they arise while maintaining a clear commitment to further expansion which will continue to serve Worcester’s needs and growth."

“The Research Bureau was honored to provide key insights through our two extensive reports on the importance of the Worcester-Framingham commuter rail, the ridership throughout the region, and the needed infrastructure improvements,” Worcester Regional Research Bureau Executive Director Paul Matthews said. “Our commuter rail service is at a key transformation with the Allston project and West East rail, so the region is benefitting from the hard work and collaborative leadership of Mayor Petty, City Manager Batista and his service on the MassDOT Board, Congressman McGovern, State Rep. Donahue and our legislators, state agencies, the Chamber, and other municipalities and stakeholders.”

“The purpose of the Worcester MBTA Working Group is to understand and to advocate for efficient commuter rail service between Worcester and Boston,” Richard Burke, Chair of the Worcester MBTA Working Group, said.  “It is critical that we keep the focus on the needs of Central Massachusetts at a time when important decisions that will affect Worcester are being made by the MBTA and MassDOT.”  

“Over the past 20 years the continued expansion and improvement of commuter rail service to Worcester and Central Mass has played a major role in the city and region’s growth,” Tim Murray, President and CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, said “The resultant economic and housing expansion has been transformative. The Worcester MBTA Working Group’s report will serve as a guide in ensuring continued expansion and improvement for commuter rail riders both current and future.” 

Moving forward, the Worcester MBTA working group will remain a strong and coordinated advocate at the local, state, and federal levels to ensure key investments and infrastructure upgrades are implemented in a way that enhances and does not compromise service for Worcester riders.