Mr. Speaker, through you and to the members. I rise in support of this amendment relative to weekend commuter rail service for the Old Colony rail line. The South Shore region is one of the only areas of Metropolitan Boston that saw its weekend service eliminated by the MBTA. We are seeking a two-year pilot program to restore this service and allow South Shore resident to enjoy the same opportunities for weekend travel as so many do in other parts of the state. Whether it is taking the family into Boston for a Red Sox game, or one of the citys many cultural attractions, or encouraging tourism to the South Shore -- the restoration of weekend service will open up new opportunities for economic development. Weekend service also provides a benefit to the increasing number of workers who dont necessarily commute on a traditional 9-5, Monday thru Friday job schedule and rely on train service to get to work. Our local business community stands ready to embrace this effort and plans are already underway to help market the service, including a pledge from a local radio station to donate up to $50,000 in advertising airtime. Currently we have a nearly $1 billion dollar fixed asset that is sitting idle on weekends. We can put it to better use. If properly marketed and competitively priced, the ridership is there to support weekend commuter rail service and we just want the opportunity to prove it. Ultimately, by letting the train engines run again on weekends, the Old Colony Line will provide an economic engine for the entire region. We respectfully ask you support to green light this pilot program.