Possible Private Southcoast Commuter Rail Proposition

The Herald News is reporting that a Boston-based company has offered to create a private commuter rail with a route in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Boston Surface Railroad Co. says it will shuttle passengers between Worcester and Providence and the trip would only take one hour.

If this becomes a reality it would be the country’s first private rail line in more than 30 years.

Vincent Bono, the CEO of Boston Surface Railroad, says the project will not be funded by state or federal funds.

In order to cut costs, the company says they would use existing tracks owned by Providence and Worcester Railroad Co. for freight.

Bono hopes the service will be running by 2017.

Additional reporting by Victoria Meneses