Rush Hour Relief for Lowell Line Commuters: Add More Trains During Peak Times!

Recent signers:
Annie Staats and 19 others have signed recently.

The Issue

To the MBTA:

We, the daily riders of the Lowell Line commuter rail, are urging you to increase the number of trains and/or add cars to existing trains during weekday rush hours to better accommodate the volume of commuters who rely on this service to get to and from work on time.

 

The Problem: Overcrowding and Inconvenient Timing

Morning Commute:

  • Train 316, which leaves at 7:30am and arrives at 8:17am, is dangerously overcrowded, with passengers standing in aisles — creating safety, accessibility, and comfort concerns.
  • Train 320, departing at 8:05am and arriving at 8:52am, gives commuters just 8 minutes to get to work — and most do not work directly outside North Station.

Evening Commute:

  • The first evening train leaves North Station at 5:05pm, which is unrealistic to make for most people who work until 5:00pm.
  • The next train isn’t until 5:42pm, meaning a long wait at the station after a full workday, with no middle-ground option. This train is also overcrowded, with people forced to stand in the aisles on a daily basis.

 

What We’re Asking For:

We are asking the MBTA to:

  1. Add at least one additional morning train that arrives at North Station between 8:30–8:45am.
  2. Increase the number of train cars on existing peak-hour trains to prevent unsafe crowding.
  3. Add an additional evening train departing between 5:15–5:30pm to better serve standard working hours.
  4. Restore express trains.

This change is critical for:

  • Passenger safety and accessibility
  • Workplace punctuality
  • Encouraging use of public transit over cars
  • Promoting healthy work life balance 

 

Sincerely,
Concerned Lowell Line Commuters

119

Recent signers:
Annie Staats and 19 others have signed recently.

The Issue

To the MBTA:

We, the daily riders of the Lowell Line commuter rail, are urging you to increase the number of trains and/or add cars to existing trains during weekday rush hours to better accommodate the volume of commuters who rely on this service to get to and from work on time.

 

The Problem: Overcrowding and Inconvenient Timing

Morning Commute:

  • Train 316, which leaves at 7:30am and arrives at 8:17am, is dangerously overcrowded, with passengers standing in aisles — creating safety, accessibility, and comfort concerns.
  • Train 320, departing at 8:05am and arriving at 8:52am, gives commuters just 8 minutes to get to work — and most do not work directly outside North Station.

Evening Commute:

  • The first evening train leaves North Station at 5:05pm, which is unrealistic to make for most people who work until 5:00pm.
  • The next train isn’t until 5:42pm, meaning a long wait at the station after a full workday, with no middle-ground option. This train is also overcrowded, with people forced to stand in the aisles on a daily basis.

 

What We’re Asking For:

We are asking the MBTA to:

  1. Add at least one additional morning train that arrives at North Station between 8:30–8:45am.
  2. Increase the number of train cars on existing peak-hour trains to prevent unsafe crowding.
  3. Add an additional evening train departing between 5:15–5:30pm to better serve standard working hours.
  4. Restore express trains.

This change is critical for:

  • Passenger safety and accessibility
  • Workplace punctuality
  • Encouraging use of public transit over cars
  • Promoting healthy work life balance 

 

Sincerely,
Concerned Lowell Line Commuters

The Decision Makers

Maura Healey
Massachusetts Governor
Michelle Wu
Boston City Mayor
MBTA
MBTA
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
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