September 30, 2022

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ROCKPORT RESIDENTS TAKE ACTION TO ADDRESS EXCESSIVE TRAIN IDLING

In September, a group of Rockport residents presented information and a petition signed by 183 citizens to the Rockport Board of Health, objecting to illegal idling of MBTA Commuter Rail trains at the Rockport Station. According to the petition, Rockport serves as the layover station for the Rockport branch of the commuter rail and consists of open-air tracks that accommodate up to four trains. When train engines are allowed to idle, especially in unison, the impacts can be felt throughout the residential neighborhoods surrounding the station, and all the way to Dock Square.

For decades, excessive idling has been a significant problem for area residents, but despite many years of complaints and discussions with elected officials, little has been done to protect the community. In 2010, the MBTA was subject to an enforcement action for excessive train idling brought by the US Dept. of Justice on behalf of the EPA. The parties entered into a consent decree requiring the MBTA to, among other things, limit train idling to no more than 30 minutes. The one substantive change made by the MBTA at Rockport was the installation of an electrical substation that is intended to power the train plug-ins and eliminate the need for idling. These plug-ins are inconsistently used by the train operators for a variety of reasons, with a myriad of excuses provided by both train operators and others at the MBTA.

There are significant negative climate and health effects associated with excessive train idling including air and noise pollution. Air pollution generated by the burning of diesel fuel has long been known to have negative health effects, and the noise resulting from idling trains is both loud and low in frequency, allowing it to travel long distances and with high endurance. Persistent, unwanted noise is a recognized health hazard affecting more than hearing. It can result in higher levels of stress, increased blood pressure, cardiovascular effects, mental health issues and sleep disturbance

What Can You Do?

  • Report excessive train idling (more than 30 minutes) to the Boston office of the EPA: 888-372-7341 (leave a message with day, time, your name, and say you are a Rockport resident). 
  • Get updates on efforts to stop excessive train idling: Email trainconcerns@gmail.com to be added to the list.
  • Support the petition to the Rockport Board of Health (submitted Sept. 19). Email trainconcerns@gmail.com with (1) your name (2) your Rockport address and (3) this text in the subject line or email: “I support petition to the Board of Health against excessive train idling at Rockport Station.”