Public Participation

To ensure effective and inclusive public outreach throughout the various stages of project development, EOT is currently engaged in and will be further expanding a comprehensive public outreach campaign for the South Coast Rail project.   This will involve all stakeholders, both supporters and opponents of the project.  This outreach will build off the efforts of the stakeholder working group developed by the Southeastern Massachusetts Commuter Rail Task Force and will include the corridor municipalities, area legislators, members of the public, and interest and community groups in each potential project corridor.  The primary objective of this outreach is to engage stakeholders in a manner that enables EOT and the MBTA to integrate and address concerns of all interested parties.

In expectation of the implementation of the South Coast Rail project, the Southeastern Massachusetts Commuter Rail Task Force was formed in 2004 to help the region prepare for the impacts of the re-introduction of passenger rail to the South Coast.  Its membership includes representatives from the MBTA, other regional transit authorities, municipal and regional representatives, and business and economic development organizations. Among other responsibilities, the Rail Task Force has provided a forum for state and local officials to review and discuss all aspects of the project and to work toward consensus on the design and operational aspects of the project, as well as provide assistance to EOT and the MBTA on matters related to public input. 

The Rail Task Force’s work has been an essential building block for the ultimate implementation of the South Coast Rail project.  The current Task Force advisory group will be broadened, as the planning proceeds through the combined EIS/EIR process, to reflect the greater number of communities which may be impacted by the possible routes for the South Coast Rail project.  The input of the Rail Task Force members will be vital to the station-siting process, as well as the design and construction phases of the project.