The Benefits of the Pawtucket-Central Falls Commuter Rail Station to the MBTA

Rhode Island Department of Transportation
(RIDOT)
The Benefits of the Pawtucket/Central Falls
Commuter Rail Station to the MBTA
August 19, 2016
Christina Piro
Student Planning Assistant

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Table of Contents
I. Introduction 3
a. Background 3
b. Overview 4
II. Opportunities to Improve MBTA Passengers’ Transit Experience 5
a. South Attleboro Station 5
i. Capacity Problems 5
1. Maps of RI License Plates at South Attleboro Station 7
ii. State of Good Repair Problems 8
iii. ADA Access Problems 8
iv. Bus Connection and Amenity Problems 8
b. Attleboro Station 9
i. Capacity 9
1. Maps of RI License Plates at Attleboro Station 11
ii. ADA Access Problems 12
c. Providence Station 12
i. Capacity Problems 12
III. Offering More Housing Opportunities 13
a. The Expensive Boston Housing Market 13
b. Pawtucket Station Can Provide Relief from the Boston Housing Market 14
IV. Financial Benefits to the MBTA 17
a. Fare Revenue 17
i. Fare Revenue Caveats 19
b. Minimal Operating Costs 19
V. Appendices 22
a. Appendix A: Survey Permission email from the MBTA Deputy Director 23
of Railroad Operations
b. Appendix B: Survey Outline 24
c. Appendix C: Survey Instructions 25
d. Appendix D: South Attleboro Station Parking Diagram 27
e. Appendix E: Survey Observer Map of South Attleboro Station West Lot 28
f. Appendix F: Survey Observer Map of South Attleboro Station East Lot 29
g. Appendix G: Survey Observer Map of South Attleboro Station Private 30
Lot
h. Appendix H: Survey Observer Map of Attleboro Station 31
i. Appendix I: Survey Parking Permission Sign 32
j. Appendix J: South Attleboro Station Recording Sheets 33
k. Appendix K: Attleboro Station Recording Sheets 39

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I. Introduction
a. Background
Pawtucket and Central Falls, Rhode Island are distinguished by their history as an industrial
powerhouse in the 19th
and early 20th
centuries. However, the communities suffered severe
economic hardship when industrial manufacturing declined in the late 1950’s. The jobs lost as a
result of the industry decline lead to the demise of the area’s retail and commercial industries.
Downtown passenger rail service disappeared along with the area’s commerce. Today,
Pawtucket and Central Falls are still struggling. High unemployment rates and economic woes
now characterize the communities. Pawtucket and Central Falls are recognized as two of the
most economically challenged communities in the nation.
In an effort to revitalize the economy, the Cities have focused on transportation planning
initiatives. The Cities’ most important transportation investment is a new Pawtucket/Central
Falls Commuter Rail Station (also referred to as Pawtucket Station). The communities believe
the construction of the station will open economic opportunity for area residents. The station will
provide better access to jobs and bring new development to the region. Development resulting
from the station’s construction will lead to increased tax revenues for both Cities and serve as a
significant step toward rebuilding the Cities’ economy.
To generate funding for the station’s construction, the Rhode Island Department of
Transportation (RIDOT) submitted an application for a federal Transportation Investment
Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant. In July, 2016 Rhode Island was awarded a $13.1
million TIGER grant to build the Pawtucket/Central Falls Commuter Rail Station. With an
aggressive planning timetable, station construction is anticipated to begin in 2017.
The station will be located on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor and the MBTA’s Providence
Commuter Rail Line. The image below, taken from RIDOT’s TIGER VIII Grant Application,
shows the planned station’s precise location. Now that funding for the station’s construction has

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been secured, RIDOT is looking to work with the MBTA to evaluate service and scheduling
scenarios that will lead to the new station’s inclusion on the Providence Commuter Rail Line.
b. Overview
The purpose of this report is to demonstrate the benefits the Pawtucket/Central Falls Commuter
Rail Station could bring to the MBTA and Massachusetts. There are several reason why the
MBTA should consider servicing the station. This report categorizes these reasons into three
sections.
The first section of this report explains why servicing the station presents opportunities for the
MBTA to improve the transit experience of its passengers. This segment describes some of the
problems and concerns at South Attleboro Station, Attleboro Station, and Providence Station. It
then makes the argument that the MBTA can alleviate these issues by servicing Pawtucket
Station.
The second section of this report describes how the expensive Boston housing market is opening
up residential growth opportunities in the Pawtucket/Central Falls area. It goes on to describe
how the construction of Pawtucket Station will unlock that growth potential. It then makes the
argument that servicing the station will help the MBTA serve the transit-dependent individuals
attracted to the area’s residential potential.
The third section of this report describes the financial benefits the MBTA will reap as a result of
servicing Pawtucket Station. This segment explains how the MBTA can significantly boost its
fare revenue by servicing Pawtucket Station and how the associated operating costs will be
minimal. This segment therefore argues that servicing Pawtucket Station will help the MBTA
increase its bottom line.

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II. Opportunities to Improve MBTA Passengers’ Transit Experience
a. South Attleboro Station
If the MBTA were to service the Pawtucket/Central Falls Commuter Rail Station, it may be able
to offer its South Attleboro passengers an improved transit option. According to the MBTA’s
2016 South Attleboro Commuter Rail Station Needs Assessment & Improvement Plan, South
Attleboro Station experiences parking capacity issues. Also mentioned in the plan is the fact that
the MBTA recognizes the station’s need for state of good repair improvements, Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) access renovations, and upgraded Rhode Island Public Transit Authority
(RIPTA) bus service connectivity and amenities. The MBTA can certainly address these
problems, but the study states that the level of investment committed to station improvements
has yet to be determined. With South Attleboro Station’s current problems and uncertain future,
the MBTA can provide its passengers with an improved transit experience by servicing
Pawtucket Station.
i. Capacity Problems
According to the MBTA’s 2014 Ridership and Service Statistics report, South Attleboro Station
is the ninth busiest station on their system for inbound boardings. A 2013 audit within this report
indicates that the station averaged 1,462 weekday riders that year. The MBTA’s 2016 South
Attleboro study indicates that the station’s parking lots are operating at capacity. The MBTA-
controlled lots have less than five percent parking availability on an average weekday.
On July 18, 2016, RIDOT conducted a license plate survey at South Attleboro and Attleboro
stations to further investigate the stations’ parking situation. Another goal of this survey was to
determine approximately what percentage of passengers at each station are RI residents. Finally,
RIDOT enlisted the help of the RI DMV to link the recorded RI license plate numbers to
corresponding zip codes. Using this information, RIDOT concluded where RI users of South
Attleboro and Attleboro stations come from.
The results of the survey pertaining to South Attleboro Station confirm that it is over-congested.
South Attleboro has three parking lots. Two are MBTA-controlled, and one is privately owned
with designated parking spaces for commuters. A South Attleboro Station parking diagram is
included in the appendix of this report. When the license plate survey was conducted, the
MBTA-controlled lots were filled to capacity. In fact,
there were thirteen illegally parked cars in these two
lots. Pictured to the right is an image taken from the
MBTA’s South Attleboro Station study. It displays
illegally parked cars in the station’s MBTA-
controlled West Lot. Many of the illegally parked cars
observed by RIDOT’s license plate survey team were
parked in a similar fashion to those pictured to the
right.

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The presence of several illegally parked cars is evidence that the station is over-crowded. The
only lot that was not overflowing was the private lot. However, the MBTA’s South Attleboro
Station study indicates that the MBTA does not own or manage the spaces in this private lot. As
a result, it is not certain whether commuters will be permitted to use these spaces in the future.
A total of 648 license plates were recorded at South Attleboro Station. As the chart below will
show, over 72% of these were Rhode Island license plates. Therefore, the high volume of Rhode
Islanders is contributing to the station’s capacity problem. It should also be noted that some RI
users of South Attleboro Station travel to the station via RIPTA bus service. These passengers, as
well as those being dropped off, are not accounted for in the license plate survey, but they add to
the volume of RI residents using the over-crowded station.
By servicing the future Pawtucket Station, the MBTA can provide an in-state transit option for
the large percentage of Rhode Islanders currently using South Attleboro Station. If a portion of
these Rhode Islanders moves to Pawtucket Station, the MBTA can alleviate its capacity issues at
South Attleboro. Lessening congestion at South Attleboro will help the MBTA improve the
transit experience of its South Attleboro passengers.
As previously mentioned, RIDOT obtained help from the RI DMV with linking the recorded RI
license plate numbers to corresponding zip codes. The zip codes corresponding to the RI license
plates recorded at South Attleboro Station further demonstrate how Pawtucket Station can help
the MBTA solve its capacity issues at South Attleboro. The three maps on the following page
display the number of RI plates per zip code, per zip code square mile, and per zip code
population. These maps highlight that zip codes close in proximity to Pawtucket Station contain
high volumes of RI license plates. Therefore, the Rhode Islanders from these zip codes may elect
to use the future Pawtucket Station instead of South Attleboro Station. If the MBTA offers
Pawtucket Station as a transit option for these Rhode Islanders, the congestion problem at South
Attleboro can be alleviated.
RI
72.38%
MA
23.15%
4.48%
RI License Plates at South Attleboro Station
Percentage of RI Plates Percentage of Massachusetts Plates Other

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ii. State of Good Repair Problems
There are physical problems with the existing infrastructure at South Attleboro Station. The
MBTA’s 2016 South Attleboro study describes the corroding condition of the pedestrian bridge
that links the inbound platform to the parking lots. The study notes that the bridge has been
partially repaired with remaining repairs still in progress. The project team leading the South
Attleboro study also noted the poor condition of the station’s three sets of stairs leading to the
pedestrian bridge. Heavy amounts of rust covered the stairs, and two of the stair sets were closed
because of severe structural issues. Finally, the study recognizes that the two MBTA-controlled
parking lots contain many surface cracks.
The safety and overall transit experience of South Attleboro Station’s passengers suffers due to
the station’s weathered infrastructure. As previously stated, station improvements may be made,
but the degree of investment in unclear as even minor investments may trigger mandatory multi-
million dollar improvements. Knowing this, the MBTA can improve its passengers’ transit
experience by servicing the new Pawtucket Station. According to RIDOT’s TIGER VIII Grant
Application, Pawtucket Station will include a new overhead bridge across the rail right-of-way
and upgraded sidewalks throughout the station area. The new station’s structural elements will
not have the wear-and-tear of the infrastructure at South Attleboro Station. Therefore, if the
MBTA were to service Pawtucket Station, its passengers would benefit from the new and
improved structural conditions.
iii. ADA Access Problems
Another problem at South Attleboro Station is that it is not fully ADA accessible. The MBTA’s
South Attleboro Station study points out that the station has low-level platforms. This is a
problem because there is no accessible path of travel provided from the low-level outbound
platform to the MBTA-controlled West Lot. Therefore, passengers with disabilities are forced to
use the station’s mini-high platforms. Another accessibility problem at the station is the absence
of curb ramps leading to a signalized crosswalk between the outbound platform and the MBTA-
controlled East Lot. The Pawtucket/Central Falls Commuter Rail Station will be modernized
with full high-level platforms. If the MBTA decides to service Pawtucket Station, its passengers
with disabilities will surely appreciate the option of a more ADA accessible station.
iv. Bus Connection and Amenity Problems
South Attleboro Station is served by RIPTA via Route 1 and Route 35. As stated in the MBTA’s
South Attleboro Station study, both bus routes stop at the neighboring shopping plaza and at
Collins Street north of the MBTA-controlled West Lot. Based on data provided by RIPTA,
weekdays at South Attleboro Station average 15 boardings and 14 alightings via Route 1. A
weekday average of seven boardings and six alightings occur at the station via Route 35. These
ridership statistics further demonstrate South Attleboro’s usage by Rhode Islanders. Despite this,
the station currently lacks high-quality bus connections and amenities.
Problematically, neither bus stop at the station has benches or shelters. The lack of curbside
shelters and seating results in some pedestrians sitting on the sidewalk while waiting to board the

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bus on Collins Street. Another inconvenience is how cars are forced to drive around buses laying
over at the Collins Street stop. This causes cars to infringe on the opposing travel lane. For
MBTA passengers who utilize RIPTA bus service, the station’s less than ideal bus layout and
connectivity worsens their overall transit experience.
In comparison to South Attleboro Station, Pawtucket Station intends to have a smooth
intermodal connection between MBTA commuter rail service and RIPTA bus service. The future
station structure includes easy access to a sheltered bus pull-out. However, a longer-term goal
envisions a Pawtucket bus hub. According to RIDOT’s TIGER VIII Grant Application, this bus
hub may include indoor amenities for passengers, and it will be structurally designed for end of
line berthing requirements. Additionally, the off-street facility location makes the bus hub safer
than current bus connectivity at South Attleboro Station. If the MBTA were to service Pawtucket
Station, it would be providing its passengers access to improved intermodal transit mobility.
b. Attleboro Station
If the MBTA were to service the Pawtucket/Central Falls Commuter Rail Station, it may be able
to offer its Attleboro passengers an improved transit option. While Attleboro station may not
suffer from congestion to the degree that South Attleboro does, the station is still one of the
MBTA’s busiest. Attleboro station also presents problems for passengers because it is not fully
ADA accessible. By servicing Pawtucket Station, the MBTA can prevent any capacity problems
from developing at Attleboro Station and offer its passengers an alternative station with ADA
upgrades.
i. Capacity
According to the MBTA’s 2014 Ridership and Service Statistics report, Attleboro Station is the
sixth busiest station on their system for inbound boardings. A 2013 audit within this report
indicates that the station averaged 1,665 weekday riders that year. As previously mentioned,
RIDOT conducted a license plate survey at Attleboro Station on July 18, 2016 to assess the
station’s parking and capacity situation. The survey was also meant to determine approximately
what percentage of passengers at the station are RI residents.
A total of 585 license plates were recorded at Attleboro Station. As the chart at the top of the
following page will show, about 32% of these were RI license plates. According to the MBTA’s
website, Attleboro Station’s parking lot has 780 parking spaces. At 75% capacity, the license
plate survey did not reveal Attleboro to be suffering from severe congestion problems on this
particular day. However, given the high volume of daily ridership at the station, preventative
measures can still be taken. One way for the MBTA to ensure the station does not become
overcrowded is by servicing Pawtucket Station. By servicing Pawtucket Station, the MBTA can
provide an in-state transit option for the portion of Rhode Islanders currently using Attleboro
Station. Preventing over-congestion will help the MBTA deliver a satisfying transit experience
for its Attleboro passengers.

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With the help of the RI DMV, RIDOT linked the recorded RI license plate numbers to
corresponding zip codes. The zip codes corresponding to the RI license plates recorded at
Attleboro Station are evidence as to why servicing Pawtucket Station can help the MBTA
prevent capacity issues at Attleboro. The three maps on the following page display the number of
RI plates per zip code, per zip code square mile, and per zip code population. These maps
highlight that zip codes close in proximity to Pawtucket Station contain high volumes of RI
license plates. Therefore, the Rhode Islanders from these zip codes may elect to use the future
Pawtucket Station instead of Attleboro Station. If the MBTA provides Pawtucket Station as a
transit option for these Rhode Islanders, over-congestion at Attleboro can be prevented.
RI
31.97%
MA
65.81%
1.37%
RI License Plates at Attleboro Station
Percentage of RI Plates Percentage of Massachusetts Plates Other

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ii. ADA Access Problems
Similar to South Attleboro Station, Attleboro Station is not fully ADA accessible. The low-level
platforms at Attleboro Station force passengers with disabilities to use the station’s mini-high
platforms. As previously mentioned, the Pawtucket/Central Falls Commuter Rail Station will be
modernized with full high-level platforms. By servicing Pawtucket Station, the MBTA will be
able to offer its passengers with disabilitites a station with improved ADA accecibility.
c. Providence Station
By servicing the Pawtucket/Central Falls Commuter Rail Station, the MBTA may be able to
provide a desirable transit option for those deterred by the lack of parking at Providence Station.
i. Capacity Problems
According to RIDOT’s 2014 Providence Station Operational Analysis, Providence Station is the
MBTA’s busiest commuter rail station outside of downtown Boston. With an average of 2,325
weekday inbound boardings, the station provides transportation for a significant number of
Rhode Island’s commuters. Despite the high demand for commuter rail, Providence Station’s
1980s infrastructure limits its capacity to deliver service to all individuals.
The limited parking at Providence Station is a significant deterrent for prospective MBTA
passengers. RIDOT’s 2014 Providence Station Operational Analysis states that passenger
parking is offered in the two-level underground parking garage adjacent to the station. The
garage has a capacity of approximately 300 cars, and it fills up by 6:30 am on weekdays.
Consequently, many passengers are denied a spot in the garage. Driving passengers are forced to
find alternative parking in the mall garage or nearby surface lots. Another capacity issue at the
station is the lack of short-term parking spaces for those awaiting the arrival of train passengers.
If the MBTA were to service Pawtucket Station, it would be providing a more appealing
transportation option for its passengers deterred by the lack of parking space at Providence
Station. It should be noted that parking at Pawtucket Station has yet to be finalized. As the
design of the station progresses, the amount and
location of parking will become clearer. RIDOT’s
TIGER VIII Grant Application mentions potential
for private developers to provide station parking.
The rendering on the right displays what public
parking at the station might look like. In
conclusion, servicing Pawtucket Station may result
in the MBTA offering a more desirable passenger
experience to individuals who are put-off by the
limited parking at Providence Station. Servicing
Pawtucket Station may also help the MBTA relieve
some of the capacity issues at Providence Station.

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III. Offering More Housing Opportunities
By servicing the Pawtucket/Central Falls Commuter Rail Station, the MBTA would be providing
an improved transit option for those working in Boston that wish to live elsewhere. With the
Boston housing market being so expensive, Rhode Island’s more affordable housing is an
appealing option for Boston workers. Pawtucket/Central Falls has the location and housing
options to attract these cost-conscious commuters. The construction of Pawtucket Station will
further spark the area’s residential potential. Therefore, servicing the station will help the MBTA
serve a larger population of transit-seeking individuals.
a. The Expensive Boston Housing Market
According to a recent article in the Boston Globe entitled Why more housing won’t make Boston
much cheaper, Boston is experiencing a lack of housing needed for the region’s working-class
and middle-income families. As a result, rent costs are spiraling upwards. The data analysis in
the 12th annual Greater Boston Housing Report Card of 2014-2015 echoes this issue. The report
reveals that Greater Boston is experiencing a growing housing mismatch between the type of
available housing and the type of housing most desired by its fastest growing demographic
categories. One of these categories is millennials. For the past 15 years, millennials have been
flocking to Boston. The graph below, taken from the Greater Boston Housing Report, shows just
how popular the Boston metro area has become for 20-24 year-olds. Many members of this age
group come to Boston for its top universities, thriving job market, and desirable urban amenities.

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Although the influx of millennials is a reflection of the metro economy’s strength, the housing
market is currently failing to meet the needs of this demographic. The city’s housing shortage
has forced millennials to overcrowd into multi-unit housing within Boston and surrounding
neighborhoods. Given the soaring price of rental housing, this is one of the few ways millennials
can live affordably in and around Boston. Consequently, working-class families, who have
traditionally occupied these multi-unit housing spaces, are being priced out of the market.
Demand for multi-unit housing in all five Greater Boston counties has risen among millennials,
working-class families, and other demographics. However, permitting data reveals that
developers are failing to meet this demand with the appropriate variety of housing. While single-
family housing construction is on the rise, multifamily and condominium construction plans are
waning. The fact that permits for five-plus-unit buildings fell 6.2 percent in 2013 demonstrates
that construction of multifamily housing is declining.
Even if developers in Greater Boston committed to constructing more multi-unit housing, it
would be difficult to do so. As explained in the Boston Globe article, high construction costs are
a deterrent. The cost of construction is steep due to the region’s high labor costs and the price of
incorporating new units with older streets and sewer systems. Community opposition to housing
development is another reason why new construction in Greater Boston is a rarity.
The following statistics and table, taken from the Greater Boston Housing Report, illustrate the
financial toll the city’s housing struggle has taken on Boston’s homeowners and renters.
 The portion of homeowners who are “cost burdened” — spending over 30 percent of
their income on housing — rose from below 27 percent in 2000 to over 38 percent in
2013.
 From 2000 to 2013, the number of cost burdened renters rose from 39 percent to over 50
percent.
 As of 2013, more than a quarter of renters are spending above half their income on rent
alone. This number has risen 18 percent since 2000.
b. Pawtucket Station Can Provide Relief from the Boston Housing Market
While the Boston housing crisis is presenting challenges for millennials, middle-income families,
and working-class families in Greater Boston, the proposed Pawtucket/Central Falls Commuter

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Rail Station may provide much needed relief. With the lack of affordable housing options in
Boston, the station will strengthen the Pawtucket/Central Falls area as a viable living option for
working-class and middle-income commuters. In turn, servicing the station will allow the MBTA
to fulfil the transit needs of those looking to escape the burdens of the Boston housing crisis.
The current Pawtucket/Central Falls housing market is attractive for commuters due to its
inexpensive housing. More than 18,000 people currently live within .5 miles of the proposed
station. 1,149 units in this area are affordability restricted. They are supported by the US
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to cater to the needs of those with
moderate income. The graphic below, taken from RIDOT’s TIGER VIII Grant Application,
illustrates that owning a home in either Pawtucket or Central Falls is much more affordable as
compared to the Boston area or other Rhode Island locations, such as Providence.
Many have already taken advantage of the
cost-saving opportunities the
Pawtucket/Central Falls area provides. For
example, the Slater Cotton Mill in Pawtucket
has recently been renovated into affordable and
chic loft apartments for rent. Commuters are
attracted to this updated mill complex, pictured
to the right, because it is less than five minutes
away from the MBTA’s South Attleboro
Station. Likewise, Pawtucket’s historic Union
Wadding Mill has recently been developed into
residential lofts and includes more than 200
units. It provides similar benefits as the Slater
Cotton Mill complex.

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And while it is true that South Attleboro Station can serve the transit needs of Pawtucket and
Central Falls commuters, the station is currently overcrowded. In addition, the construction of
Pawtucket Station has the potential to spark the development of the two million square feet of
underutilized or vacant mill space within .5 miles of the project. A market analysis conducted as
part of RIDOT’s TIGER VIII Grant Application identified over one million of this square
footage as residential growth potential. The rest of the space may be utilized for retail, offices, or
mixed-use transit-oriented development (TOD) opportunities. The fact that locally-active real
estate developers have already purchased property in the vicinity of the future station in
anticipation of its construction demonstrates the area’s growth potential. There is even the
possibility of the real estate developers partnering with the State to provide station parking.
Pawtucket Station will provide residents of Pawtucket and Central Falls with a one-seat ride to
Boston and other nearby job centers. This will increase opportunities for a range of low income
and market rate housing units, further bolstering the attractiveness of the area for those
challenged by Boston’s housing crisis. If more Boston workers opt to live in the
Pawtucket/Central Falls area, servicing the station may result in the MBTA serving a larger
population of transit riders.
In conclusion, the Pawtucket/Central Falls area has the residential potential to relieve those
struggling to find affordable housing in Boston. The proposed Pawtucket/Central Falls
Commuter Rail Station may further the developmental growth of the area. The construction of
the station itself will attract Boston workers who are burdened by Boston’s lack of housing space
and crushing housing costs. With the potential for more transit-seeking residents in the
Pawtucket/Central Falls area, servicing the future station will help the MBTA serve more
passengers.

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IV. Financial Benefits to the MBTA
a. Fare Revenue
The construction of the future Pawtucket/Central Falls Commuter Rail Station is projected to
increase ridership along the Providence Commuter Rail Line. As a result of increased ridership,
the station is expected to increase fare revenue for the MBTA. By servicing the station, the
MBTA will be able to capture this additional source of income.
According to RIDOT’s TIGRER VII Grant Application, ridership for the future station was
forecasted using Simplified Trips-on-Project Software (STOPS). STOPS is a sequence of
programs with the ability to approximate transit project ridership through a simplified set of
steps. Census data, data from accessible regional models, and General Transit Feed Specification
Data (GTFS) are all inputs of the STOPS model.
Using the STOPS model, a consultant team conducted daily ridership forecasts. To perform these
projections, boarding counts served as application inputs. The boarding counts were based on
information provided by the Central Transportation Planning Staff (CTPS), MBTA Commuter
Rail passenger counts, and RIDOT’s July 2015 Quarterly Weekday Ridership Count Summary.
These projections assumed that all MBTA commuter rail trains serving Providence would stop at
the Pawtucket/Central Falls Commuter Rail Station. The tables below summarize the results of
the STOPS application. The application was run for no-build and build scenarios in 2015 and
2040.
The STOPS model application projects that the introduction of Pawtucket Station in 2015 would
have translated to an increase of approximately 107 boardings per day along the MBTA
Providence Commuter Rail Line. Given these daily boarding projections, the additional daily
fare revenue that Pawtucket Station would have produced in 2015 for the MBTA is $2,855.00.
This is assuming that the fare for the future station will be set at the existing MBTA Zone 8 fare.
For planning purposes, this projection assumes that all trips are paid as one-way fares.
2015 STOPS Ridership Projections
Station No-Build Build Difference
Wickford
Junction
215 207 -8
TF Green 221 201 -20
Providence 1332 1203 -129
Pawtucket 0 479 479
South
Attleboro
734 509 -225
Attleboro 1517 1527 10
Total 4019 4126 107
2040 STOPS Ridership Projections
Station No-Build Build Difference
Wickford
Junction
223 216 -7
TF Green 215 193 -22
Providence 1578 1399 -179
Pawtucket 0 519 519
South
Attleboro
823 588 -235
Attleboro 1781 1794 13
Total 4620 4709 89

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The table below shows how the introduction of Pawtucket Station would have impacted daily
revenue along the Providence Line in 2015. This is assuming that every passenger pays a fare for
a ride to South Station and pays the same amount to return to the station they first boarded. The
fares used to calculate these daily revenue projections became effective on July 1, 2016.
As shown in the table on the previous page, the STOPS model application also projects that the
introduction of Pawtucket Station in 2040 will result in an increase of approximately 89
boardings per day along the MBTA Providence Commuter Rail Line.
Given these daily boarding projections, the additional daily fare revenue that Pawtucket Station
will produce in 2040 for the MBTA is $2,455.00. The table below shows how the introduction of
Pawtucket Station will affect daily fare revenue along the Providence Line in 2040 assuming
fares remain constant. The same assumption used to calculate the 2015 daily fair revenue
projections apply to these 2040 projections.
The station’s positive impact on daily fare revenue is clear. By deciding to service the station, the
MBTA can take advantage of the growth in ridership and substantially increase its earnings.
Pawtucket Station Impact on Daily Fare Revenue Along Providence Line in 2015
Station Fare Zone Fare No-Build
Revenue
Build-
Revenue
Difference
Wickford
Junction
10 $12.50 $5,375.00 $5,175.00 -$200.00
TF Green 9 $12.00 $5,304.00 $4,824.00 -$480.00
Providence 8 $11.50 $30,636.00 $27,669.00 -$2,967.00
Pawtucket 8 $11.50 $0.00 $11,017.00 $11,017.00
South
Attleboro
7 $10.50 $15,414.00 $10,689.00 -$4,725.00
Attleboro 7 $10.50 $31,857.00 $32,067.00 $210.00
Total $88,586.00 $91,441.00 $2,855.00
Pawtucket Station Impact on Daily Fare Revenue Along Providence Line in 2040
Station Fare Zone Fare No-Build
Revenue
Build-
Revenue
Difference
Wickford
Junction
10 $12.50 $5,575.00 $5,400.00 -$175.00
TF Green 9 $12.00 $5,160.00 $4,632.00 -$528.00
Providence 8 $11.50 $36,294.00 $32,177.00 -$4,117.00
Pawtucket 8 $11.50 $0.00 $11,937.00 $11,937.00
South
Attleboro
7 $10.50 $17,283.00 $12,348.00 -$4,935.00
Attleboro 7 $10.50 $37,401.00 $37,674.00 $273.00
Total $101,713.00 $104,168.00 $2,455.00

19
i. Fare Revenue Caveats
One caveat regarding these daily revenue projections is that they assume every passenger pays a
fare for a ride to South Station and pays the same amount to return to the station they first
boarded. In reality, some commuters will elect to buy a monthly pass instead of paying the daily
fares for a round trip. Purchasing a monthly pass is a more cost-effective option for some
commuters. If a portion of commuters purchase monthly passes, actual fare revenue would be
lower than the fare revenues projected in this report.
Another caveat regarding the revenue forecasts is that the 2040 STOPS ridership projections do
not account for the anticipated TOD growth that will accompany the construction of Pawtucket
Station. As mentioned in the housing section of this report, the Pawtucket/Central Falls area is
rich in residential growth potential and has already seen interest from real estate developers and
other commercial businesses. Given that this expected economic growth was not included as an
input for the future ridership forecasts, this makes the 2040 revenue projections highly
conservative. It is very likely that ridership, and as a result, fare revenue, will be higher than
these projections indicate.
In conclusion, the introduction of the Pawtucket/Central Falls Commuter Rail Station is
projected to escalate the total number of daily boardings along the Providence Commuter Rail
Line. The spike in ridership will translate to additional fare revenue for the MBTA. More
specifically, the additional daily fare revenue that Pawtucket Station would have produced in
2015 for the MBTA is $2,855.00. The additional daily fare revenue that Pawtucket Station will
produce in 2040 for the MBTA is $2,455.00. The bottom line is that the MBTA can boost its
revenue by servicing the Pawtucket/Central Falls Commuter Rail Station.
b. Minimal Operating Costs
Once the construction of the Pawtucket/Central Falls Commuter Rail Station is complete,
operations and maintenance (O&M) costs will be incurred annually. The station will be
constructed and operated by a collaborative partnership that includes the Rhode Island
Department of Transportation (RIDOT), the City of Pawtucket, and the City of Central Falls.
Given that the agency and the two Cities will operate and maintain the station, servicing the
station will leave the MBTA with negligible O&M costs.
Besides the fact that other parties will be shouldering the O&M responsibilities, servicing the
station will be inexpensive for the MBTA because it currently operates passenger service
through the area. The future station will be placed along the MBTA’s Providence Commuter Rail
Line. It will be located between South Attleboro Station to the north and Providence Station to
the south. Given that the MBTA already passes the future station’s location, servicing the station
will result in minimal fuel expenses. Likewise, the expense of equipment wear-and-tear will be
virtually nonexistent because trains will not have to deviate from their current route in order to
service the station.
The biggest O&M cost the MBTA will incur as a result of servicing the station is the additional
daily travel time for existing passengers. Using the STOPS model, a consultant team constructed

20
a potential 2035 Providence Commuter Rail Line schedule. By comparing this forecasted
schedule to the current MBTA schedule, the impact of the introduction of the future station on
daily travel time can be determined.
The table on the following page shows the current and forecasted arrival times at Providence
Station and South Attleboro Station for both inbound and outbound trains. Since Pawtucket
Station will be located between these two stations, the difference in travel time between the
current schedule and 2035 schedule indicates how servicing Pawtucket Station will affect daily
travel time for existing passengers. It is assumed passengers’ final destination is South Station.
As shown in the table, servicing the station will result in an average of four minutes and twenty
three seconds of additional daily travel time for current passengers on inbound trains from
Providence Station to South Station. For current passengers riding outbound trains to Providence,
servicing the station will translate to an average of four minutes and seventeen seconds of
additional daily travel time. Added together, existing passengers will incur an average of eight
minutes and forty seconds of additional daily travel time on their round-trip.
Although the additional daily travel time for existing passengers is an unavoidable O&M cost,
the dwell time at Pawtucket Station has a potential upside. Currently at Providence Station, there
are occasions when MBTA trains must wait for quicker Amtrak trains to pass them. With the
inclusion of Pawtucket Station, the added dwell time will provide an ideal opportunity for
Amtrak trains to move past stationary MBTA trains positioned on new siding tracks. This would
eliminate the time Providence Station passengers spend waiting for Amtrak trains to pass by.
In conclusion, the MBTA will incur minimal O&M costs from servicing the future
Pawtucket/Central Falls Commuter Rail Station. RIDOT and the Cities of Pawtucket and Central
Falls will partner to make the O&M costs as low as possible for the MBTA. On top of that,
expenses will be kept low because the MBTA already operates passenger service through the
area. The most significant O&M cost the MBTA will incur from the introduction of the station is
additional daily travel time for existing passengers. Minimal travel time increases may
potentially affect fuel consumption and staffing costs. The potential for upstream delays is
another O&M cost. However, as demonstrated by the fare revenue section of this report, the
financial benefits of servicing the station far outweigh the costs. By opting to service the station,
the MBTA can considerably improve its bottom line.

23
Appendix A
FW: MBTA Parking Lot Counts at S. Attleboro and Attleboro
Coholan,Ryan <rcoholan@mbta.com> Fri, Jul 8, 2016 at 11:34 AM
To: "Koziol, Andrew (DOT)" <andrew.koziol@dot.ri.gov>
Cc: Christina Piro <christina.piro.temporary.dot@gmail.com>
Good Morning Andy!
Hope all is well. You have my approval to conduct your parking lot counts, as described below.
If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
RDC
Ryan D. Coholan
Deputy Director of Railroad Operations
MBTA
______________________________________________________________________
This email has been scanned by MessageLabs and contains no viruses or malware.
_______________________________________________________________________
This email/electronic message, including any attached files, is being sent by the MBTA. It is solely
intended for the recipient(s) and may contain information that is proprietary, confidential, legally
privileged, and/or exempt from disclosure pursuant to state and federal law. If you have received this
message in error or are not the intended recipient(s), please notify the sender immediately by reply,
and delete all copies of this email/electronic message and any attached files from your computer. If
you are the intended recipient(s), you may use the information contained in this email/electronic
message and any attached files only as authorized by the MBTA. Any unauthorized use,
dissemination, or disclosure of this email/electronic message and/or its attached files is strictly
prohibited.

24
Appendix B
Survey Outline
1. Request and obtain help from the RI DMV with linking RI license plate numbers to a
corresponding zip code.
2. Request and obtain permission from the MBTA Deputy Director of Railroad Operations
to conduct a license plate survey at South Attleboro and Attleboro Stations.
3. Set a date to conduct the survey.
a. Through analyzing parking counts at the Wickford Junction Garage, Monday was
decided as the best representative day to conduct the license plate survey. To
arrive at this decision, the median vehicle count for each weekday from April to
June of 2016 was calculated. Monday’s median vehicle count was the highest.
Assuming that similar patterns occur at South Attleboro and Attleboro Stations,
the data indicates that Monday is the busiest day. Therefore, Monday is the most
likely day to capture the potential congestion issues at the stations.
4. Set a rain date to conduct the survey.
5. Decide how many observers will participate in the survey.
a. Four RIDOT interns helped conduct the survey. This allowed for two observer
teams (one at each station).
6. Prepare survey instructions, annotated maps, recording sheets, construction vests, pens,
and parking permission signs for the each observer/observer team.
7. Reserve two state vehicles (one for each observer team) to take to either South Attleboro
or Attleboro Station to conduct the survey.
8. On the day of the survey, follow the survey instructions in order to properly conduct the
survey.
9. After completing the survey, create an Excel spreadsheet containing all the recorded RI
plates (with the hyphens omitted).
10. Send this Excel spreadsheet to the DMV so they can match the RI plate numbers to a
corresponding zip code.
11. Compare survey results to the results from the last time the survey was conducted (2001).
12. After receiving corresponding zip codes from the DMV, analyze the data.
13. Using the survey results and the information from the DMV, create maps that show
where RI users of South Attleboro and Attleboro Stations originate from.
a. Use ArcMap software to edit existing shapefiles in order to symbolize each
bounded zip code area (making a zip code darker if it has more cars).
b. Six maps were made in total. Three contained data from South Attleboro Station,
and three contained data from Attleboro Station. The data was normalized per zip
code, per zip code area, and per zip code population.
14. Draw conclusions from the data, and communicate these conclusion within a written
report to the MBTA.

25
Appendix C
Survey Instructions
 One observer team (comprised of two people) will drive to South Attleboro Station. The
address is 1315 Newport Ave Attleboro, MA 02703-8040. The other observer team (also
comprised of two people) will drive to Attleboro Station. The address is 75 S Main St
Attleboro, MA 02703-2906.
 Both observer teams should park their vehicle close to the station parking lot(s). For the
team at South Attleboro Station, this may be near West Lot, East Lot, or the Private Lot.
It is not necessary to park the vehicle in the station parking lot(s).
 Both observer teams should place the parking permission sign on the dashboard of the
vehicle in order to avoid any parking problems.
 Before leaving the vehicle, all observers should put on their construction vests.
 Before observers start counting, each observer should fill in their name, the weather
(sunny or overcast), and the time they begin recording the data on that page. There is a
place to write this information at the top of the recording sheet.
 On subsequent pages, note the time the observer begins recording the data on that page.
On subsequent pages, only record the weather if it has changed from what was recorded
on the first page.
 The observer team at South Attleboro Station should use the annotated maps of West Lot,
East Lot, and the Private Lot as a guide to dividing the cars that will be surveyed by each
team member.
 The observer team, at Attleboro Station should use the annotated map of the station
parking lot as a guide to dividing the cars that will be surveyed by each team member.
 Record the plate #s of Rhode Island plates only.
 For all cars with Massachusetts plates, or for cars without any plate, simply mark the
“Plate #” column with a solid line. Like this
 For cars with license plates other than Massachusetts or Rhode Island, write down what
state it is from in the “Plate #” column. The observer may use the abbreviated state name.
 For cars parked illegally, put an asterisk to the left of the number in the numbered
column. Like this *1. Illegally parked cars are vehicles not located in designated parking
lines. Illegally parked cars include vehicles parked at the end of parking aisles.

26
Example of an illegally parked car at the end of the
parking isle
 If there are any Rhode Island specialty plates, record the information in the “Plate #”
column the way it appears on the actual plate.
The specialty plate in this picture (even though it’s not
an RI plate) would be recorded as
 If the observer feels the need to add a written comment to accurately describe a Rhode
Island specialty plate (like saying the license plate pictured above has a Red Sox logo to
the left of the plate #), they should make a footnote at the bottom of the recording sheet.
 If the observer cannot identify the state on a license plate, record the plate # just in case it
is a Rhode Island plate, and make a footnote about the lack of a state name at the bottom
of the recording sheet.
 If the observer is unsure about how to record the information on a license plate, record
what they see, and add a written footnote describing the concern.
 The estimated time for each observer team to complete their survey is 2.5 hours.
 If any observer encounters problems, please contact Kerrie Vizzacco at (401) 222-4203
x4132.
 If any observer has questions about the survey, contact Christina Piro at (203) 313-2384.
R
5233
S

2 7
Appendix D
South Attleboro Station Parking Diagram
West Lot East Lot
Private Lot

28
Appendix E
Survey Observer Map of South Attleboro Station West Lot
RIDOT’s South Attleboro Commuter Rail Station Needs Assessment & Improvement Plan lists
West Lot as having 351 parking spaces, 13 of which are accessible.
Observer #1: The observer will survey the outer rim of cars. The observer will also survey the
double-row aisle of cars located closest to Access Road.
Observer #2: The observer will survey the remaining three double-row aisles of cars in the lot.

29
Appendix F
Survey Observer Map of South Attleboro Station East Lot
East Lot as having 210 parking spaces.
Observer #1: The observer will survey the outer rim of cars along Access Road and Route 1A
Northbound. The observer will also survey the two single-row aisles of cars and the one double-
row aisle of cars located to the east of the Verizon Wireless store / parking lot.
Observer #2: The observer will survey the three remaining double-row aisles in the lot.

30
Appendix G
Survey Observer Map of South Attleboro Station Private Lot
the private lot as having 168 parking spaces.
Observer #1: Of the numbered spaces, the observer will survey the seven double-row aisles
closer to Market Basket.
Observer #2: Of the numbered spaces, the observer will survey the six double-row aisles further
away from Market Basket.

31
Appendix H
Survey Observer Map of Attleboro Station
The MBTA website lists Attleboro Station as having 780 parking spaces available.
Observer #1: The observer will survey the line of cars stretching from one end of the lot to the
other that is located closest to the tracks. The observer will also survey the double-row aisle of
cars in the middle section of the lot. The observer will also survey the single-row aisle of cars in
the section of the lot furthest from the entrance.
Observer #2: The observer will survey the two double-row aisles in the section of the lot closest
to the entrance. The observer will also survey the single-row aisle of cars in the front section of
the lot located furthest from the tracks. The observer will also survey the single-row aisle of cars
in the middle section of the lot located furthest from the tracks.
Entrance

32
Appendix I
Survey Parking Permission Sign

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