Wrong-way trend

There was an editorial in yesterday's Worcester Telegram & Gazette regarding the poor performance of the commuter rail line that services the Worcester area.

While I think the editorial could have been stronger, at least it was the lead editorial on yesterday's Commentary page.

The editorial highlighted the following:

• The decline in on-time performance for the Worcester-Framingham commuter rail line.
• CSX's maintenance work for the line concluded on October 10th, yet the November 2007 on-time performance was at 58
• The Worcester-Framingham commuter rail line is one of the most used lines in the system and that more commuters than ever are riding on this line.
• That the line needs more than 10 trips a day.

I thought this particular comment was very educating:

The state has conducted extended negotiations with CSX to acquire the right-of-way so that more trains can be added to the inadequate 10-train schedule that has prevailed for years. Officials familiar with the talks say liability is the sticking point because the freight hauler has insisted on being indemnified by the state for any accident, regardless of fault.

The editorial closed with this line:

But the slumping on-time record on the Worcester line underscores the need to wrap up the negotiations with all prudent speed.

Agreed. I hope the elected officials from Central Massachusetts can help expedite the negotiations. The Worcester-area is dependent upon a well performing mass transit system.