Transportation Advocates: Train Through Easton Could Be Dependent on Income Tax Hike

State transportation advocates told SouthCoastToday.com Wednesday that prospects of a commuter train connecting Boston to the New Bedford-Fall River area could rely heavily on a 1 percent income tax increase proposed by Gov. Deval Patrick.

Patrick proposed the increase along with a 2 percent cut in sales tax. The proposed income tax increase comes in conjunction with a proposed $13.7 billion transportation bond bill.

One of the key components of Patrick's bond bill is funding for the rail, which would travel directly through Easton.

“The (tax) package as a whole is our best shot,” executive director of the Southeast Regional Planning and Economic Development Council Steve Smith told SouthCoastToday.com “If it is whittled down, we won’t get it done.”

While the rail's future is in limbo, local and regional officials are preparing for its possible impact. Earlier this month, plans were announced for a public meeting to update Easton's South Coast Rail priority map.

In 2011, Easton officials submitted a list of mitigation requests to the state should the rail come through.

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