Express for Whom? New Report Highlights Worcester’s Key Role in Commuter Rail Recovery

By Hank Stolz | Radio Worcester

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WORCESTER, MASS.- Express for Whom? Ridership, Recovery, and the Importance of the Worcester/Framingham Line is the latest report from The Research Bureau (wrrb.org) The report looks at what has happened since the cancellation in 2023 of a set of express regional rail trains that ran to and from Worcester’s Union Station through the reintroduction of an express train in May 2024 at a less advantageous time. Ridership is up, and growth in the number of working residents living near Worcester’s Union Station is helping fuel that. Ridership data showing over 4 million riders on the line in 2024, with a high percentage boarding at Worcester

Paul Matthews, Ex. Director of the WRRB and report author Joshua Boucher analyzes recent data on ridership and usage patterns, highlighting the key role the line plays in Worcester’s economy and transportation network. The Worcester-Framingham commuter rail line is the second busiest line in the MBTA system, with over 4 million riders in 2024. Boucher says, “Nearly 16% of all riders getting on the train and going towards Boston got on in Worcester, which is more than any other stop on any other train all day.” The report also notes that weekend ridership has increased significantly since the pandemic. Boucher notes, “If you look at the entire commuter rail system before the pandemic, only about 5% of riders got on total ridership was made up of weekend riders and now it’s closer to between 10 and 15% depending on the month.”

The reliability of the commuter rail service has improved significantly in recent years, with on-time performance consistently above 90% for most months since mid-2020. Matthews notes that the state’s investment in stations west of Worcester is also substantial. “The growth and success of Worcester is intertwined with Commuter Rail, and we’ve been very fortunate that there’s been steady growth since 94 with East West Rail planned. That’s going to open up commuters from the west to come into Worcester on rail and get off at Union Station and go to work at places like UMass Memorial Healthcare, UMass Chan, the other life science companies here, and the colleges and universities. So this will fuel long-term growth in Worcester and is really important.” Matthews also touches on planned infrastructure projects, such as the Allston-I90 development, which could further enhance the line’s importance.