Norwood Commuting Hearing Requested-June 26, 1968

Selectmen Sign Emergency ICC Petition to Postpone Looming Discontinuance of Commuter Rail Line

. Wilfred C. Chesebrough, director of the Norwood selectmen’s transportation committee, reported that the selectmen’s petition will successfully postpone the scheduled elimination of commuter service from Norwood, which was originally slated to take effect this coming Monday. The local commuter trains have been operating continuously since 1965 under a dedicated financial subsidy from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). However, this critical transit subsidy is officially set to expire this Friday.

Wilfred C. Chesebrough explained that the reopening of the federal ICC hearing is being explicitly requested in order to introduce fresh economic evidence to the commission. This new evidence shows that daily commuter rail service can actually be provided at a much lower cost to the region than the New Haven Railroad originally claimed during the prior ICC hearings back in 1964. Modern fiscal estimates place the cost difference at approximately $2 per individual commuter per week. Under normal administrative procedures, when the ICC grants a discontinuance order, the passenger trains immediately stop running and the railroad’s financial testimony stands completely unchallenged. In the case of Norwood, train service still physically exists, which offers local planners an invaluable opportunity to take a second look at the regional transit situation.

Wilfred C. Chesebrough noted that although the ICC historically found the Norwood passenger trains in combination with those of three other interstate commerce lines, federal regulators have never looked at the specific Norwood line in isolation. Norwood’s line remains unique because local operators posted 30 percent more passengers and 50 percent more revenue in November 1967 than for the exact same ridership period a year prior. Service has been successfully maintained up to this point because of the MBTA subsidy, but the MBTA has explicitly advised the railroad that it will not renew the funding unless new transit funds are forthcoming through pending state legislation.

Selectmen pointed out that if this legislative bill is passed, their emergency action in petitioning for the reopening of the New Haven hearing does not conflict with state plans. If the bill does not pass, last night’s municipal action will safely preserve local train service to South Station in Boston until a suitable substitute transit plan can be arranged. Local legislators including Senator John M. Quinlan (R-Dover), Representative Alan P. Danovitch (R-Norwood), and Representative David C. Ahearn (D-Norwood) have all been working hard for the passage of the funding bill. Selectman John A. Abdallah additionally thanked John H. Rogan of 200 Engamore Lane for his diligent work assisting Wilfred C. Chesebrough on the town’s active transportation committee.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger