The Swellesley Report

Since 2005: More than you really want to know about Wellesley, Mass.

Celebrating Wellesley Square’s new accessible train platforms

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Politicians, MBTA officials and local representatives joined on Friday, May 9 to celebrate the new accessible platforms at the Wellesley Square commuter rail station.

Mini-high platforms with ramps went into operation on both tracks in February, making it possible for people of all abilities to board and disembark trains.

Some in town have been working toward this goal for around a decade (we’ve been writing about it since at least 2018). It was announced this past summer that $500,000 in federal accessibility funding secured by Congresswoman Katherine Clark would make completion of the $3M project early this year a reality.

Downpours forced the ribbon cutting inside. Among those on hand was MBTA Assistant General Manager for Systemwide Accessibility Laura Brelsford, who was recognized for her leadership on the project.

Wellesley’s William Fahey, a commuter who uses a wheelchair, double dipped by cutting ribbons both inside Town Hall and again on one of the train platforms.

mbta ribbon cutting
On the Wellesley Square mini-high platform (right to left): Wellesley Executive Director Meghan Jop, resident William Fahey, Wellesley Mobility Director Sheila Page, Select Board Chair Colette Aufranc, resident and advocate Loraine O’Hanlon, MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng, State Rep. Alice Peisch, and facing sideways, MBTA officials Jennifer Ross and Rob Sampson (Town of Wellesley photo).
At the Town Hall ribbon cutting (left to right): Congresswoman Katherine Clark, MBTA’s Laura Brelsford, State Rep. Alice Peisch, MBTA’s Phillip Eng, Wellesley Executive Director Meghan Jop, and resident William Fahey (Town of Wellesley photo)

Swellesley welcomes Letters to the Editor, published each Friday.

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