BOSTON (SHNS) - A new proposal on Beacon Hill would fund extended commuter rail services along the Route 2 corridor into north central Massachusetts with revenue from a hypothetical casino.

The Rep. Natalie Higgins bill (H 3680) vetted by the Joint Committee on Transportation Tuesday would create an InterCity Regional Passenger Rail fund to finance passenger rail projects and a new region that would be eligible for a casino gaming license. As proposed, Region D would consist of Fitchburg and Leominster and the towns of Ashburnham, Lunenburg and Westminster.

Under the bill, 25% of gaming revenue collected from possible Region D gaming licensees would put toward efforts to expand commuter rail services.

"At the heart of this bill is opening up an additional region for north central Massac

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