By Charles Lane

MassDOT and the MBTA announced last week that the recently revised North Side Commuter Rail schedules will not be implemented until spring 2016.

According to information released to the public, the revision of Commuter Rail schedules is a critical element of MassDOT and the MBTA’s efforts to deliver safe, reliable, on-time service to Commuter Rail customers. The new schedules are intended to help minimize cascading failures and ensure that on-time service can be delivered both safely and consistently.

The MBTA will release proposed new schedules for both North Side and South Side services in draft form in December, along with specific plans for extensive public engagement. Following the period of public engagement, MassDOT and the MBTA will make changes based on the feedback received and then implement the new schedules for the entire commuter rail system in spring 2016.

“The coming changes will be the most substantive made in decades; when the process is complete, we are confident that the new schedules will serve the best interests of our ridership,” said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack. “But the MBTA needs to do more than provide reliable commuter rail service to our customers. It needs to listen to those customers and understand their needs and concerns and incorporate them into service planning. We understand that even small challenges in long-standing schedules impact the daily lives of our riders and we need to hear and incorporate their feedback before finalizing schedule changes.”

Commenting on the decision to delay implementation of the new commuter rail schedules, State Senator Patricia D. Jehlen said, “The new commuter rail schedules that were originally slated to go into effect in December would have caused serious hardships for many riders who depend on reliable, regular train service. I’m thankful to the MBTA and MassDOT for hearing the concerns of residents and legislators and delaying implementation of any schedule changes.”

Additionally, Jehlen said, “Revised new schedules will be developed with public input over the winter and go into effect next spring. I’m looking forward to a positive and collaborative process that will result in a better outcome for riders and the commuter rail system as a whole.”