Finding A Way Along Route 9: Worcester

For years, Worcester boosters claimed the city was on the cusp of greatness — that it was just one big development away from rivaling Boston. But in recent years, the city has settled into a new identity. It no longer wants to be the next Boston. What it does want is to be the most affordable mid-size city in New England. WBUR's Bob Oakes and Kirk Carapezza report.

Across Worcester today, a growing bio-tech sector is generating new economic life for the city. The same buildings that once churned out textiles, crankshafts, wire, and train couplings are now turning into offices, condos, and increasingly: laboratories. WBUR's Curt Nickisch reports.

Every weekday, more than 15,000 people find their way between Boston and Worcester by train. The Patrick administration is working to nearly double the number of trains on the line by adding another 10 in each direction. WBUR's Fred Thys reports.

There is very little going on at the Worcester Regional Airport. At the parking attendant booth, the sign says "Stop For Attendant," but there's no one in the booth. Inside the terminal, no passengers to be found. No one to take the tickets.

Saying simply, “we just don’t have the money,” independent candidate for governor Timothy Cahill defended his call to pull back state support from transportation expansion projects.

The riders featured in our Route 9 story on Worcester commuters were unanimous in wanting more rail service to Worcester’s Union Station. But with the state’s gloomy budget picture, there’s a question of whether the state can afford to add train service. WBUR’s Bob Oakes speaks with Mullan to discuss how these areas will get more train service under a limited state budget.