WORCESTER � Already practically sister cities, Worcester and Providence may soon have a new connection � this time over the rails.

Boston Surface Railroad Co. has been formed for the specific purpose of creating a commuter rail service between the two New England cities. Vincent Bono, the largest stockholder and general manager of the new company, said plans are in the first stages of developing what he hopes will eventually be three trains per day traveling between the two cities.

"We are here today to celebrate getting funded for an engineering study to see what improvements are needed on the line for a 70-minute trip time," Mr. Bono said, as he waited at Union Station with friends and business associates to take a symbolic trip to Providence on a Providence and Worcester Railroad train.

"Our goal is to be the JetBlue of (rail) commuting," he added.

Mr. Bono, who comes to the railroad business from the technology industry, said studies show the need for the commuter service and he wants his Arlington company to provide a comfortable trip between the two cities. The first step is to conduct a study, which is expected to take six months. If the project proves feasible, an agreement would have to be forged with Providence and Worcester Railroad Co. to use its tracks, and possibly to operate the trains. If all goes well, the service could begin within 18 months.

The trains would be owned by Boston Surface Railroad Co., which would offer commuter service between the two cities. It projects only one other stop, in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, 15 miles outside Providence.

The service, which would be on a level with Amtrak's regular business class, would address what is already a significant flow of commuters now using roadways to get between the cities on the route. There are an estimated 32,800 daily commuters between Worcester and Providence and 10,000 between Woonsocket and Providence.

Mr. Bono said the line would be a good match with Worcester's population, the second largest in the state, and the fast-growing business community in Providence.

What the company would offer commuters, would include onboard wireless internet access, onboard concessions, electronic ticketing, including commuter passes and assigned seating.

Mr. Bono said his company did a poll of New Jersey transit riders, and their biggest concerns were dirty bathrooms and people taking up two seats. He said the assigned seating would help with the latter problem and cleanliness and comfort will be a major focus for the company.

The service is projected to cost about $3 million to set up and operate, including engineering services, initial track improvements, rolling stock purchases, and leasing and other infrastructure and services.

Mr. Bono said the plan looks at long-term development, with ridership expected to rise rapidly over eight years.

The project still has major hurdles to overcome, a big one being an agreement with Providence and Worcester Railroad, but Mr. Bono said the railroad has well-maintained tracks and an excellent safety record.

"I can't imagine a better partner," he said.

"It's far from a done deal. It's very much in the early stages," said Charles D. Rennick, secretary and general counsel for Providence and Worcester Railroad Co. Mr. Rennick and Daniel T. Noreck of the Providence and Worcester Railroad joined Mr. Bono and other guests on the trip to Providence to celebrate the start of the project.

Others on the trip included Barbara and William Southworth and a friend of their family, Bill Kinnis of Ottawa, Canada. Mrs. Southworth said her husband founded a company in which Mr. Bono was vice president for engineering. Others included employees of the new company and others Mr. Bono has been affiliated with in the past.

Contact George Barnes at george.barnes@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter @georgebarnesTG