Skyrocketing gas prices have sparked an increase in ridership everywhere in the MBTA system. Everywhere, that is, except on the Rockport and Newburyport branches of the commuter railroad that links the North Shore with Boston.
The number of passengers boarding the train at Salem and other stops remains pretty consistent, apparently. An MBTA spokesman blames lingering bad feelings from recent delays due to problems with the bridge over the Danvers River, but we think a reader has put his finger on why more don't take the train: lack of parking.
"Take the Salem stop for example," writes Larry Robertie. If a commuter does not arrive at the station well ahead of time for the 7:03, for a scheduled 7:38 arrival in Boston, "there is little chance of finding a parking space in the lot. Even given that folks 'overflow' to the muddy sides of Bridge Street, parking options all but disappear before 8 a.m."
He adds, "This is not just a Salem station problem, it plagues public transportation all over the state. The lack of safe, available and reasonably maintained parking, could just be the No. 1 reason ridership is stalled."
We agree. Many of the parking lots along the Rockport and Newburyport branches fill up very early. So taking the train simply isn't an option for those who don't want to arrive at their destination hours ahead of time.
Public transportation is becoming a necessity for an increasing number of people who simply can't afford to drive to work anymore. Yet it's not an option for many in this region.
The state's failure to follow through on its many promises to build new parking facilities at the Salem and Beverly stations is nothing short of scandalous. And now many will suffer simply because they don't have access to the cheaper transportation alternative the trains provide.
Still, we'd urge local officials to keep the pressure on the state and MBTA to follow through with their plans for those parking garages. It doesn't appear gas prices will be going down anytime soon.
