New Commuter Rail Cars Finally on the Tracks

After five years of waiting, the first batch of double-decker commuter coaches left from North Station Wednesday morning.

Passengers aboard three brand new commuter rail cars, which left from North Station Wednesday morning, took a ride that was five years in the making. The MBTA announced Wednesday that three of the 75 new double-decker commuter rail coaches built by Korean company Hyundai-Rotem were in service. The cars left from North Station at 10:30 a.m. on April 24. “We are constantly working to bring our customers a better experience,” MBTA General Manager Beverly Scott said in a statement. “These new coaches will do just that, with a cleaner, more informed and more comfortable trip for all on board.”  The coaches will service the north side of the commuter rail system before operating throughout the system in the coming weeks, according to the …

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T Deficit Again Raises Talk of Fare Hikes, Service Cuts

Fare hikes and service cuts are a few options T officials proposed in an effort to close the $130 million budget deficit in 2014.

Again this year, MBTA officials have proposed service cuts and fare increases if there is no increase in funding to close a $130 million projected budget deficit in fiscal year 2014. This week, the MBTA's Director of Strategic Initiatives, Charles Planck, said at a MBTA finance committee meeting that in order to close the budget gap T fares will need to go up 33 percent, The Boston Globe reported Wednesday. Locally, it would mean a $252 monthly pass from Hamilton-Wenham station woudl go up to $335. There was also talk at the meeting of a 15 percent fare increase coupled with the possible elimination of service that would include a reduced commuter rail schedule, according to the Globe. Gov. Deval Patrick unveiled an ambitious …

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Hour-Long Train Delay Caused by Cold Weather

The cold weather on Thursday morning was the culprit for delays on the MBTA commuter rail on the Newburyport line through Hamilton-Wenham station.

Thursday morning’s bitterly cold temperatures have been blamed for delays along the North Shore commuter rail line that exceeded an hour in some cases. Train 154 left Newburyport at 5:50 a.m. headed to Boston when it experienced a dynamic brake failure at 6:09 a.m. at the Rowley station. The train was scheduled to arrive in Hamilton-Wenham station at 6:09 a.m., headed to North Station. But it ended up being about an hour late. Two other trains behind it, train 156 that was scheduled to leave Newburyport at 6:30 a.m. and train 158 that was supposed to leave Newburyport at 7 a.m., both all experienced delays. Both trains were scheduled to pickup passengers at Hamilton-Wenham station at 6:49 a.m. and 7:19 a.m., respectively, and both of those…

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Extensive Train Delays After Man Struck and Killed by Train in Lynn

MBTA commuter rail trains were delayed Monday morning after a man was struck and killed by a train in Lynn on Monday morning.

A man was hit and killed by a commuter train in Lynn on Monday morning caused extensive train delays all morning up and down the North Shore, including train from Hamilton-Wenham station. The incident occurred just after 6 a.m. on the tracks just north of the Lynn station in Central Square, according to a report in the Daily Item of Lynn. MBTA Superintendent and Chief Joe O'Connor told the Daily Item that the male victim, who was not identified, stepped on to the tracks and was struck and killed. Train service was interrupted from shortly after the accident. At 6:30 a.m., the T sent out an alert advising trainriders toseek alternatiuve transportaion. Train service was halted until about 7:30 a.m., when train riders were bussed between …

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T Backs Down on $3 On-Board Ticket Surcharge

Days before the MBTA's new fares went into effect, the T said it will not impose a $3 surcharge on on-board ticket purchases for inbound riders that get on at a station without a fare machine.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has backed down on a plan for a $3 surcharge on commuter rail tickets purchased on board Boston-bound trains. Last month, the MBTA began publicizing its new fare structure, which included an additional $3 surcharge, per-person, for tickets bought onboard commuter rail trains. But at dozens of stations, including Hamilton-Wenham station, there is nowhere to buy a ticket in advance at a retail outlet or fare machine. “For inbound trips, the MBTA will follow its current policy of charging an on-board surcharge for customers who do not purchase tickets before boarding at stations where fares may be purchased before boarding,” T spokesman Joe Pesaturo said in an e-mail statement announcing the …

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Local Commuters Consider Options If T Fare Hike Comes True

Regular riders of commuter rail say they are considering looking at other options, while others say they will pay the increase fares being contemplated by the MBTA.

Local commuter rail riders are reacting to rate hikes being contemplated by the MBTA – with some saying they could change their commuting habits and others saying they’ll pay the higher fares. Under two rate hike proposals unveiled earlier this week, a monthly pass from Hamilton-Wenham station (zone 5) to Boston on commuter rail would go up either 23 or 34 percent. In addition to the rate hike, both scenarios propose service cuts. All trains would be eliminated on weekend and after 10 p.m. on weeknights. No increase has been proposad to parking rates at commuter rail stations. The T last raised rates in 2007. In addition to fares and other revenue sources, in fiscal 2010, Wenham paid a local assessment of $94,483 to the T while Hamilton …

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Robert Gates

12:48 pm on Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Reverse commute is different than off-peak, it would seem. With a reverse commute train, it needs to get back to where it came from to pick up more commuters. So if it will make the trip, with or without riders, it seems to make sense to lower the price a little bit in an attempt to entice a few more riders and a few more dollars. Mid-day, on the other hand, may be cheaper to keep the trains in …   more ›

POLL: How Would a T Fare Hike Affect You?

The MBTA is looking at fare increase that could send a commuter rail ride to Boston from Hamilton-Wenham as high as $9. How will it affect you?

Facing a mounting deficit and increased infrastructure needs, the MBTA is looking at several proposals that would increase fares between 20-50 percent, the Boston Globe reported this week.  In documents released to the Globe, one plan prepared for the MBTA shows monthly commuter rail passes increasing about 25 percent. For a monthly pass from Hamilton-Wenham station, that could increase the price from $210 now to $265. Individual tickets could increase 20-50 percent under the scenarios outlined by T officials. The existing $6.25 ticket at Hamilton-Wenham station could go up to anywhere from $7.50 to $9.25 for the 23 mile trip to Boston. The plan, as outlined by the Globe, says the T is looking to increase Charlie Card fares on the subway …

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Jennifer Flynn

9:08 am on Sunday, December 11, 2011

I think the fare should be supplemented by the state/govt (and tax gas more to pay for it)   more ›

Then and Now

Historical Photo Showed New Rail Going In

The answer to the most recent "Then and Now" historical photo, which was taken more than 30 years ago.

The latest "Then and Now" historical photo feature is looking south on the railroad tracks at the Hamilton and Wenham town line where Hamilton-Wenham station is today. The picture was taken in 1979 when new welded rail was installed on the tracks to Ipswich. About 10 years ago a new station platform was also built at this location. Thomas S. Luxton answered correctly for the second time in a row. Congratulations Tom! Both the “old” photo and the “new” photo are attached to this story. There's a new historical photo posted on Tuesdays. Check Hamilton-Wenham Patch next Tuesday for the latest one. Special thanks to Arthur "Butch" Crosbie and the Hamilton Historical Society and the Wenham Museum for providing the photos we'll use for the …

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