JUNCTION TMO
COMMUTER NEWS
September 2018
Free Shuttle to Ballardvale Street? 
Share Your Thoughts & Enter to Win an Echo Spot
Would you like to have access to a  free direct shuttle service serving the businesses along Ballardvale Street.  Tell us what would work for you and be entered to win an Echo Spot!

We expect shuttles will be made available during the morning and evening peak travel time, however, ultimately the schedule will be based on the start/end times indicated by the majority of survey respondents. The objective is to partner with area businesses to provide reliable and convenient shuttle service for the benefit of employees and businesses in the service area.

Your response to this short survey will help us to better plan for this potential service.

New Prices to Park at MBTA Lots
Andover, Bradford, Ballardvale, Haverhill Lots Reduced
On September 1, 2018, daily and monthly parking rates at MBTA lots and garages were adjusted to encourage parking at stations with more capacity. The MBTA slashed parking prices to $4 at the and Andover and Ballardvale Commuter Rail stations and to just $2 at the Bradford  and Haverhill lots. Details

While these prices have been cut, the MBTA is increasing rates at other, more heavily used lots.     The T will also charge lower rates on weekends, making the prices less expensive than the weekday rates at nearly every station.  The T has announced that it will be investing more in their parking garages and surface lots to address necessary maintenance and rehabilitation.

Here is a complete list of stations affected  by the price changes. 

North-South Rail Link Approved for $10M Study
Understanding the full cost of constructing the long awaited (by many) North South Rail Link (NSRL) became more clear last month as the MBTA Fiscal Management Control Board received a a preview of the general findings of the NSRL Feasibility Reassessment. This report included findings in the areas of infrastructure, ridership, costs, and potential benefits. The draft NSRL Feasibility Reassessment report is still pending.

Ultimately, the NSRL would create a tunnel to link the currently disconnected North and South Stations, making it possible for one to travel contiguously by train between the North and South Shores, and even as far as between Maine and Washington, DC. 

The feasibility of the NSRL from the perspective of infrastructure was found to depend largely on tunnel and station depths. Next steps regarding the NSRL reassessment include the release of the draft NSRL Feasibility Reassessment in early July 2018 with a public comment period in July and August. The final NSRL Feasibility Reassessment Report will be released in early fall 2018 with ongoing examination of electrification and alternative service models through the MBTA's Rail Vision Study. More


Discounted Weekend Commuter Rail Passes Extended!
$10 Weekend Passes Now Available Through December 5th
The Commuter Rail is not just for weekday commuting! Due to the success of its recent summer pilot, th e MBTA has announced that it will extend its special $10 weekend fares on the Commuter Rail through December 5th. The discounted fares are valid for unlimited travel through all zones on Saturdays and Sundays, perfect for those festive fall excursions.

Unlike weekdays, weekend Commuter Rail service is not in high demand. This $10  weekend fare is a pilot program designed to test the market and encourage people to try Commuter Rail service on weekends, when ample seating is available. As MBTA General Manager Luis Manuel Ramírez says, "There is plenty of capacity on our weekend trains, and we'd be happy to fill those seats with families and others traveling in and out of Boston this summer."  More
Honoring & Remember Al Marrone, JTMO Outreach Manager
It is with great sadness that the Junction TMO announces the passing of our long time outreach manager and friend Al Marrone.

Al was an integral part of our team and worked tirelessly with our members on a number of initiatives, including the ECO Awards and our annual Bike to Work Week celebration. His smile was infectious and he spread great joy with his visits and events with our members.

If you haven't done so already, we ask members to share their favorite Al stories with us which we will compile for his family so they can know how highly regarded and loved he was by the Junction TMO family. Please email your notes to  commute@junctiontmo.co m
Donations in his name may be made to The Home Health Foundation of the Merrimack Valley, 360 Merrimack Street, Building 9 Lawrence, MA 01843
Condolences may be sent to Diane Marrone and family, c/o NcNally, 19 Longwood Road, Salem, N.H. 03079.