Increased Boston-To-Springfield Passenger Rail Service May One Day Become A Reality

Marc Scribner, a research fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, thinks investment by the state on a primarily private rail line is unnecessary because private rail companies are rolling in money. "I think it's shortsighted. I don't think the state should be subsidizing private railroads. They have been booming, and they can more than cover their own costs," said Scribner.

"Transportation dollars are scarce, so I think they should be better focused on where they can get better returns on their investments. Based on the research out there, spending on transit is not a cost-effective way to deal with congestion. This focus on rail is a political fad … You're seeing this phenomenon across the country," said Scribner.