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Senate committee urges weekend MBTA service at Wickford Junction
Summary
The Senate Committee on Housing and Municipal Government unanimously approved Senate Resolution 632 asking the governor and MBTA officials to consider reinstating weekend commuter rail service to Wickford Junction, citing local demand and climate policy goals.
The Senate Committee on Housing and Municipal Government voted to approve Senate Resolution 632 on April 3, urging the governor and transit officials to study and restore weekend commuter rail service at Wickford Junction.
Sponsor Susan Sysnowski introduced the resolution, saying it respectfully requests the governor and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to restore weekend trips on the Providence–Stoughton line to serve Wickford Junction. “We have this wonderful infrastructure, all built, ready to go. Just need a few more routes so people can utilize this,” Sysnowski said during her testimony.
Senators described parking and rider patterns they said show demand. Senator Agoo and others recounted personal experience commuting the route when weekend service existed. Committee members also linked the change to broader climate goals, saying more transit options can reduce highway use.
Vice Chair DeMario moved passage; Senator Rogers seconded. The committee voice-voted “aye” and the motion passed.
The resolution asks state and MBTA officials to convene stakeholders and consider a schedule change; it does not itself change transit operations or appropriate funds. The committee did not receive testimony in opposition and recorded the motion as a committee request, not a mandate to MBTA.
The vote advances the resolution for whatever follow-up the sponsors pursue with the governor and MBTA. No implementation timetable or funding was specified in committee testimony.
