A Commission to study potential operation, governance and maintenance of expanded passenger rail in central and western Massachusetts was created by the Legislature in 2022. The FRCOG has a seat on the Commission per legislative requirements.
The Commission will hold 6 public hearings throughout western and central Massachusetts through late 2022 and early 2023 and will issue a report on governance and operations options. The Commission is co-chaired by Representative William Straus and Senator Brendan Crighton, who are also the co-chairs of the legislative Transportation Committee. Local legislators assigned to the Commission are Senators Jo Comerford and Eric Lesser and Representatives Natalie Blais and Bud Williams. The FRCOG’s colleague Regional Planning Agencies – Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission – also have seats on the Commission.
Linda Dunlavy
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