An Act relative to an interstate compact for western MA rail service

This bill authorizes Massachusetts to form an interstate compact with Connecticut, New York, and Vermont to establish permanent commuter rail service in Western Massachusetts. It specifically directs the development of two key routes: one connecting New Haven to Brattleboro (with stops in Greenfield, Holyoke, Northampton, and Springfield) and another linking Worcester to Albany (with stops in Pittsfield, Chester, Springfield, and Palmer). The compact also aims to extend the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail Program through the Knowledge Corridor and promote rail connections across Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire Counties to major cities like Albany, Boston, Hartford, and New Haven. The bill requires participating states to cooperate on public policy development and jointly ensure the success of these rail services.