Department, B: Report of the Transit Department for the Year

Excerpt from Report of the Transit Department for the Year Ending December 31, 1926

Some of the former passengers using the steam railroad desired the continuance of railroad operation between Harri son Square and Shawmut Junction, during the construction of the new road. To give such a service would have been difficult, dangerous and expensive. It would involve the tear ing down and removal. Of many dwellings, the dispossession of about fifty families, and the slicing of several hundred parcels of abutting land. This would increase the cost over a million dollars and delay the entire project over a year.

Counts made in July, 1926, showed the average daily num ber of passengers to be affected by the discontinuance of serv ice to be but 789 or less than 100 per train. Investigation of transportation conditions brought out the fact that there were no points in this district that did not have reasonable access to street car or bus service.

Against the desire of less than 800 passengers for a tempo rary railroad service was placed the urgent need of promptly supplying rapid transit facilities for the passengers passing twice each day through Andrew Station.

Arrangements were made by the New York, New Haven Hartford Railroad Company for abandoning service from Fields Corner, Shawmut, Ashmont and Cedar Grove stations, and for substitute service from Mattapan, Central Avenue, and Milton Stations to Boston by way of Neponset Junction.

On July 8 _a petition was filed with the Department of Public Utilities for approval of these changes. On August 3 a public hearing was given and on August 23 the petition was approved. On September 4 the railroad service between Cedar Grove and Fields Corner was discontinued.

In the meantime plans had been drawn, contracts let and orders placed, and on the very day railroad operation ceased the Department began the work of reconstruction.

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