BOSTON (AP) - A proposed high-speed rail service from Boston to Springfield could attract more riders than previously estimated, according to state officials.
Massachusetts Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack announced Wednesday that ridership could be four to five times higher than anticipated, with one estimate projecting nearly 1,200 riders a day, The Boston Globe reported.
Pollack said that still may not be enough riders to qualify for the federal rail funds needed for the project.
State Sen. Eric Lesser, D-Longmeadow, believes the state is still underestimating the project and said it could promote more balanced economic development across the state.
The state is considering six plans with different speeds and service. The simplest plan is to build a shuttle train service between Springfield and Worcester and make improvements to lines between Springfield and Boston. The most expensive option is to build a high-speed rail from Boston to Pittsfield.
The state plans to narrow its options down to three and release a final report in the fall.
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