Activists say Arborway transit getting short shrift from state
Residents and community activists in Jamaica Plain are concerned that the state is not fulfilling its obligation to involve the public in discussions on transit improvements along the Arborway Corridor.
Ever since Green Line service to Jamaica Plain was suspended in 1985, there has been a debate over how best to improve the Arborway corridor, which runs between Heath Street and Forest Hills. Some have advocated restoration of Green Line service, while others favor improving bus service.
Last year, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation agreed to have a "public process" on transit improvements. In return, the Conservation Law Foundation dropped a lawsuit that would have required trolley service restoration to the Arborway line. But when the transportation office sponsored its first stakeholder meeting on Sept. 10, it did not discuss trolley restoration and had not allocated any funds for improvements, frustrating both trolley and bus supporters.
"We wanted to focus on practical ideas that can improve the Arborway corridor in the short and medium term," said Erik Abell, an agency spokesman. The agency maintains that restoring Green Line service through Jamaica Plain is not feasible in the short term because of logistical and budgetary reasons.
Franklyn Salimbene, chairman of the Arborway Committee, said the meeting was "a rather pathetic attempt by the [transportation office] to meet the obligation under the settlement." The committee, which has long advocated trolley restoration, sponsored its own meeting Sept. 27 to discuss transit improvements and expects to have more meetings in the near future.
MICHAEL CORCORAN 