Massachusetts State Senator Jo Comerford, who represents more than 20 cities and towns in Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester counties, wants the state to explore rail service between Boston and North Adams.
Comerford has proposed a bill that would order the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to examine the feasibility of rail service from Boston to Greenfield and on to North Adams.
"We have to get cars off the road in this moment of climate crisis," Comerford said. "And then, of course, rail into Franklin County and stretching back into Berkshire County would have enormous local economic development benefit."
The mayor of North Adams, Tom Bernard, is — not surprisingly — in favor of the idea.
"I could imagine the extension of opportunities to live in North Adams and work, whether it's in Greenfield or further east," Bernard said.
