According to this article, Legislation was filed in both the House and Senate that calls for the MBTA and its rail contractor, Keolis, to operate a fully electric Commuter Rail system by Dec. 31, 2035, and “ensure sufficient zero-emission infrastructure is in place” to meet that timeline.

That being said, the North-South Rail Link project needs to move forward now more than ever. No direct connection exists between the North Station and the South Station, and thus neither halves of the MBTA Commuter Rail nor Amtrak can fully or effectively connect to the MBTA Subway lines.

The Providence/Stoughton Line will more than likely be electrified first considering the fact that it already traverses Amtrak's Northeast Corridor. Yes, you hear me right, diesel passenger trains are currently running under overhead catenary without taking advantage of it. If you want to laugh at the MBTA Commuter Rail, do it. They deserve to be laughed at for not using electric trains on a right of way that is already electrified with overhead catenary.

Please do me a huge favor and share this petition on social media and with your local news as well. Your support is greatly appreciated.