GREENFIELD — As the Oct. 12 deadline for public comment on the Northern Tier Passenger Rail study approaches, communities around Franklin County are sending letters of support to the state for what some officials say could be a “game-changer” for the region.

The state Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has been undertaking a study to examine the costs, benefits and investments needed to bring a passenger rail service from North Adams to Boston, with a stop in Greenfield. The agency is accepting public comment on the draft final report, which was published in August, through Oct. 12.

Greenfield Mayor Ginny Desorgher said the rail would address a severe lack of public transportation infrastructure in the region — she noted the Franklin Regional Transit Authority (FRTA) is effective, but the area still lacks alternative transportation options compared to eastern Massachusetts — and would drive economic development through tourism, which could support small businesses.

“The Northern Tier Rail would be a game-changer for our community,” Desorgher wrote. “Franklin County’s 26 municipalities all feature an abundance of culture and tradition. For too long, many in our state have not had the accessible means to visit these remarkable places. I truly believe the Northern Tier Rail holds the potential to uplift not just Greenfield but Franklin County and western Massachusetts as a whole.”

MassDOT’s 112-page draft study identifies the rail as a “strategic asset for the entire commonwealth and should be treated as such.” The study also notes that “coordinated regional and municipal planning to support rail service implementation should be undertaken.”

Communities and legislators in Franklin County also see the rail as a strategic asset that could be “transformative” for the region.

“The return of Route 2 rail service along the northern tier corridor would be transformative in terms of transportation mobility, economic growth and climate change mitigation,” said state Rep. Natalie Blais, D-Deerfield. “We’re building a broad coalition to support this effort and we hope that more will join us.”

Towns around the region, such as Orange and Conway, are also sending letters of support with the hope that banding together can show officials in Boston that the Northern Tier Rail is worth investing in.

“The idea is that if … the towns out here show support, it can go a long way in Boston,” Orange Town Administrator Matthew Fortier said, noting that one of the options MassDOT is looking at is having a stop in Athol.

Conway Selectboard Chair Chris Waldo said the rail service would provide benefits to all Massachusetts residents.

“A more robust rail would be mutually beneficial to both sides of the state as well as the areas along the rail path,” he said. “Having an alternate form of travel that does not rely on owning a vehicle, contending with traffic and road repairs, yet also allows you the benefit to either relax or work while commuting, are all considerations many commuters and travelers find appealing.”

He noted that Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire and Berkshire counties represent about 8.6% of the state’s total population, but cover nearly the same geographical footprint as eastern Mass. If completed, the rail could allow those in eastern Massachusetts to visit the “beauty and serenity” of western Massachusetts, all without clogging up Route 2 or the Massachusetts Turnpike with traffic.

“I’m hoping there is strong consideration for the options with the highest ridership levels in order to maximize the potential reduction in automobile need and use,” he added, “which ultimately would reduce emissions and potential vehicular accidents.”

To move the process forward, MassDOT laid out several next steps, which would require funding. The agency stated it needs to continue to improve understanding of travel demand along the corridor, advance planning efforts “at the intersection of economic development needs and opportunities and serving travel demand,” and evaluate implementation strategies. Other steps include improving rail connections by generating unified support among communities, agencies and the railroad operators, as well as exploring express service between Fitchburg and Boston.

Total capital costs for the project range from $878.5 million for the lowest level of investment to $2.9 billion for the highest level, which would bring full electrified rail service.

All Northern Tier Passenger Rail study documents, as well as recordings of working meetings and public information sessions, can be found on MassDOT’s webpage at mass.gov/northern-tier-passenger-rail-study. Public feedback can also be shared through the website.

Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com.