Racial and Economic Disparities in Boston’s Fairmount Line

Today, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Economic Justice, the Greater Four Corners Action Coalition, and the Fairmount Indigo Coalition submitted a comprehensive public records request to the MBTA for the immediate disclosure of information concerning the proposed extension of the Fairmount Line to Foxborough, MA.

In connection with this controversial extension, we are requesting access to demographic data on transit users, and information concerning the racial and economic impact of the Fairmount Line service modification.

Low-income transit-dependent residents rely heavily on the Fairmount Line. The proposed Foxborough extension may result in express suburban commuter trains that skip urban stations used primarily by minority and immigrant passengers. In this manner, the Foxborough extension may dilute the quality of transit service available to passengers of color.

Affordable and accessible public transportation is vital to the sustainability of diverse communities along the Fairmount Line corridor. The MBTA must disclose information concerning the extension, and ensure that service changes do not negatively impact people of color, immigrants, and low-income residents.

MBTA Public Records Request