Setting record straight on RIDOT

To the editor,

In order to set the record straight, I’d like to point out several inaccuracies in the statement provided by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation regarding the Boston Surface Rail Company’s lease with the agency for One Depot Square.

Boston Surface Railroad Company (BSRC) entered into a long-term lease for the historic Woonsocket Train Station with RIDOT with the goal of providing rail service to Woonsocket, and additional points North and South three years ago, not four as incorrectly stated by Director Alviti. Starting a railroad company is a tremendous undertaking, which indeed takes time. I am proud of the progress we have made since gaining Federal approval for rail service in 2016. We are still on track to begin testing our rail service in late 2020. Even state agencies are not immune from delays, as the Pawtucket Commuter Rail station project demonstrates.

Bus service and rail go hand in hand – in fact 22 of the 25 commuter rail agencies, and the nation’s premier passenger railroad, Amtrak, operate thru-way and supporting bus service. The terms of our lease specify that we may operate “commuter rail and ancillary commuter rail services,” under which our motorcoach service falls. We do not need RIDOT’s permission to operate this service and it is entirely consistent with our leasehold interests.

It is untrue that we failed to make lease payments for over a year. In fact, we withheld eight months of lease payments totaling $8,000 for RIDOT’s failure to provide a functioning commercial property. In fact, BSRC spent over $10,000 to correct issues with the heat and air conditioning which did not function for 18 months. We are currently completely up to date on lease payments, and have in fact paid one month in advance. Director Alviti’s statement that our Chapter 11 status prevents RIDOT from cashing our checks is incorrect, as any competent attorney can confirm.

At no point has BSRC indicated that we would interfere with the Polar Express’ ability to operate in the facility two months out of the year as insinuated in Director Alviti’s statement. And if RIDOT has alternative plans for the Woonsocket Train Depot as it claims, I am certain the citizens of Woonsocket would be more than interested in hearing what those plans are.

In the interim, BSRC will continue its path to bring a much-needed intercity transportation service to the area.