U.S. Railroad Head: Hopeful for January $8B Stimulus Spending

Dow Jones reports: "The agency had planned to divvy up the money in October, but "the fact of the matter is, this is a transformational time for passenger rail. We're taking a few more months to make sure the $8B is clearly invested in the right places."

CT Bond Money for New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail

Gov. Rell expects approval Oct. 30 when the Bond Commission meets for $26 million for work on the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail project. That would be a very welcome development.

Connecticut has also applied for federal stimulus funds for improving service on this lines as part of a very competive grants process that should start revealing winning projects "soon."

Finally, a rail plan for New England

Amherst rail stop pushed

Mass. seeking stimulus money for high speed rail

Massachusetts will be competing in the first round of rail stimulus funding with two applications for rail improvements.

A Full-Court Press For Rail Funds for New Haven-Hartford-Springfield rail improvements

A Hartford Courant editorial highlighting a letter to the Federal Railroad Administration authored by the Tri-State Transportation Campaign and signed by a wide variety of business, environmental, housing and transportation groups, including Pioneer Valley Advocates for Commuter Rail.

Bid for US aid envisions wide N.E. rail system

New England Rail Summit Aug. 3 -- Next Steps?

The good news is that the New England states are stepping up coordinated efforts to attract federal stimulus funds for rail projects that greatly benefit the region. The bad news is that at least 39 states, with project requests totaling about $100 billion, are competing for the $8 billion dollars currently available for high-speed rail development.

On Aug. 3, high level state and federal transportation planners and leaders will meet in Burlington, VT at the New England Rail Summit to help ramp up collaborative rail planning and project development. New England transportation leaders agree that this kind of planning effort needs to be increased dramatically to help New England gain ground on the much more advanced rail planning efforts of other regions and states, most notably the Midwestern region and California.

PVACR President, Herb Singleton (thanks, Herb!), is planning to attend the summit, as are other members of the New England Rail Coalition. As a NERC coalition member, PVACR recently signed on to a letter sent to the New England governors urging strong interstate cooperation on rail issues.

On Aug. 4 at 7:00 p.m., PVACR will hold its next general meeting by teleconference (call-in details below). The main topics will be the Aug. 3 New England Rail Summit and how PVACR can support applications for federal stimulus funds that benefit Western Mass and the New England region (not to mention the country!) as a whole.

Please join us for an update and to share your ideas!


PVACR August General Meeting Teleconference
Everyone is welcome! Some supporters have mentioned that the need to drive fairly long distances to meet with other supporters has prevented them from participating more fully. So we are trying a conference call this month instead of an in-person meeting to try to make it easier for more supporters to share their ideas and help.

IMPORTANT: Call participants will pay their usual long distance charges for this call. This is not a toll-free call and no local numbers are available.

Call-in number: 1 (218) 339-2699
Conference call access code: 128651 followed by the pound key (#)

For more information, call Jen Cosgrove, 413-636-6707.
If you can’t make it to the meeting, please feel free to chime in by email at info@springfieldrail.org.

Thank you for your help and support!


Jen Cosgrove

PVACR Communications Director
info@springfieldrail.org

Dodd: Connecticut Has Solid Chance Of Receiving Funds For New Haven-Springfield Rail

Not surprisingly, there is a LOT of pent up demand for rail investment across the country. Sen. Dodd has been very actively promoting the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield rail improvements.

Governors Join Hands for Rail Plan

More good news about cooperation among New England states to attract funding for a rail network that will boost the whole region. Projects that are being touted include establishing commuter rail service between Springfield and Hartford and New Haven, and improving and increasing passenger rail service from Springfield to Vermont AND establishing commuter rail from Springfield to Worcester (!), which already has commuter rail service to Boston.

Great news all around. Far from a done deal funding wise, but at least New England can make a much stronger pitch for key projects like these when the states act in concert.

Connecticut formally applies for stimulus funds for New Haven to Springfield rail line

EXCERPT:

"Governor M. Jodi Rell announced the state is proceeding with its efforts to establish high-speed rail service between New Haven and Springfield by applying for a share of the $8 billion in stimulus funds available for high-speed rail projects."

"Governor Rell and Massachusetts Governor Deval L. Patrick have been working together to expand commuter rail between the two major cities in the respective states. They wrote a letter in March to Amtrak President Joseph H. Boardman expressing their shared vision, outlining the benefits a reliable, high-speed service would bring to the region. State transportation officials from the two state and Amtrak officials have been meeting since March to move the project forward."

Springfield Union Station as Commuter Rail Hub by 2012?

Will we be riding better train service north and south from Springfield in the near future?Another positive report about the Union Station redevelopment agreement that has just been struck.

EXCERPT
"I believe by the time Union Station is built, we should have commuter rail service from Vermont and from Connecticut," Mary MacInnes, head of the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority said.

An optimistic projection, maybe, but at least there is a lot of activity at the state and federal levels to speed up and increase rail development. We're not complacent, though. Keep speaking up for rail!

Union Station Redevelopment Agreement Reached--Finished 2012?

This is good news. Forward movement on this project helps create positive momentum for rail projects that would use Springfield as a hub, such as the proposed commuter rail link from New Haven-Hartford-Springfield and rail improvements from Springfield to Vermont.

EXCERPT:
Although the project has been at a standstill for years, the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority has just reached an agreement with the Springfield Redevelopment Authority. Together they will design build and operate the union station transportation center as a joint venture.

When the project is finished, the terminal will house PVTA, Amtrak, commuter rail and intercity bus services, as well as having office space, rentals for economic development, a transportation conference center and even a day care.

The project will use a combination of federal transit and state transit grants totaling $65.2 million. The design phase is expected to begin this fall, with an anticipated completion date of 2012.

Sen. Dodd Continues Pushing for New Haven-Springfield Commuter Rail

EXCERPT:

Starting commuter and high-speed train service along the route "will create new transit villages, get people off the roads, and revitalize our regional economy," Dodd said as he convened a Senate banking committee hearing in Washington.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said "people need access to buses, light rail, walking, biking. That direction is the wave of the future."The federal Department of Transportation will expedite new mass transit projects, which can languish for 10 to 15 years between initial proposals and actual start of service, LaHood said.Transit advocates in Connecticut have been pushing for New Haven-to-Springfield commuter rail service since the mid-1990s, but the project had little momentum until this year. Massachusetts and Connecticut officials are working with Amtrak to apply for a share of the Obama administration's stimulus funding for high-speed rail to make major improvements along the 62-mile line. Amtrak would use the corridor for part of new, 110-mph service linking Hartford to New York and eventually to Boston. The state DOT would use the same tracks for daily commuter trains with nearly 10 stops along the way.

Hearing explores expanding Vermonter Amtrak service

This story offers a good quick overview of pro and con views offered at the two Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) public meetings on the Knowledge Corridor Passenger Rail study. About a dozen PVACR supporters attended the PVPC meetings (THANK YOU!) to speak up in support of the plan to realign the Amtrak Vermonter and lay the groundwork for increased passenger service and possibly full-blown commuter rail service in the future.

PVACR volunteer, Nancy Considine, asked the grandslam question of the meeting tonight: "How do you plan to use the support you've heard here tonight to help you get money for the project?" Timothy Brennan, Executive Dir. of the PVPC, responded bluntly that we need to keep building public support for the project, because any impression of tepid support will hurt our application for federal stimulus funding in the eyes of the evaluators. We are up against very stiff competition, he says, and it won't matter how stellar our request is if public support for the project is not strong.

So send your two cents! Short and sweet is fine -- and so is long and strong. Just take a quick minute to email your support of improved passenger rail service from Springfield to Vermont to:

Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc. Attn: Knowledge Corridor Project, 11 Hanover Square, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10005 or mtalbot-minkin@hshassoc.com Deadline for comments: June 1. (The applications for federal stimulus funding for rail projects are due in August).

As always, feel free to post to this blog -- especially if you have impressions or questions from the May 19 & 20 PVPC meetings.

Riding a Good Rail Idea - Editorial

Editorial: Riding a good rail idea by Daily Hampshire Gazette
Transportation planners think in decades, so when proponents of improved rail service in the Pioneer Valley got wind of a funding source available within months, they went into overdrive.
At stake: a tiny piece of federal stimulus funding that could move a long-held transportation goal off the sidings.

Naturally, there would be winners and losers. That is a given when big sums of money are allocated for public projects.

If chosen for up to $30 million in U.S. funding, an effort led by the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission to improve tracks on a rail line that runs north and south through Northampton would end daily Amtrak service through Amherst.

Amherst's loss of that service, while an inconvenience to people who rely on it, would be the Valley's gain. We believe this is one of those public issues that demands an accounting that reaches beyond personal gains and losses.
Next Wednesday, people who want to see the Valley have greater access to passenger rail service can speak in support of the application for the stimulus funding, at a public meeting in Northampton.

As good luck would have it, the planning commission was already knee deep in a study, also paid with federal money, that is scoping out ways to improve rail service. Wednesday's public meeting is a required element of that study. Comments offered at the session will be made part of the application that will be reviewed in a few months by those deciding whether the rail-improvement project gets the green light. (see meeting details on this blog or http://www.springfieldrail.org)

On the flip side, those who believe that a good deal for Amherst-area travelers must not be scrapped can and should make their case at Wednesday's meeting, which starts at 7 p.m. at the Northampton Clarion Hotel.
But that case, we believe, must give way to the greater good of increased ridership, needed improvements to the area's rail system infrastructure and the simple benefit of significantly reduced travel times through the Valley for riders on Amtrak's Vermonter trains.
It is true that 12,679 riders climbed on or off Amtrak trains in Amherst last year. But that figure cannot be claimed as Amherst's vote for continued service from the Railroad Street depot. With just two daily stops in the Valley, rail travelers from throughout the region have to travel to Amherst to catch their rides. By rerouting the Vermonter onto 50 miles of improved track, the service will be able to add stops in the region's important population centers of Holyoke, Northampton and Greenfield.
Further, with the track improvements, and by ending a detour through Palmer, 50 minutes will be shaved from the trip from Springfield to St. Albans, Vt. That makes train travel more competitive with driving, transportation planners note.
After years of stalled hopes for improved Valley rail travel choices, this is no time to get in a fight over whose ride to the depot will get longer.
We say, all aboard on this one.

Hearings slated on expanded rail service for Western Massachusetts

We urge all rail supporters to attend one or both of the public meetings that the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) has scheduled for the Knowledge Corridor Passenger Rail Line Study to learn project details and ask questions.

A number of Pioneer Valley Advocates for Commuter Rail members will be attending the meetings to show support for this project and the many benefits it would bring to whole region. Please join us!

Date: 05-19-2009
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: TD Banknorth, 1441 Main St., Suite 1200, Springfield, MA 01103. Google map/directions. Parking is available in the lot behind the TD Banknorth building.

Date: 05-20-2009
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Clarion Hotel and Conference Center, 1 Atwood Dr., Northampton, MA 01060. Google map/directions
From the Massachusetts Turnpike: Take exit 4. From I-91 North and South: Take exit 18, take a right at end of ramp. Hotel is 3 tenths of a mile on the right.

Rail Commuter Line Would Be Perfect Fit

Early good news on the federal transportation funding front for the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield commuter rail project.

The Hartford Courant reports that Minnesota Rep. James Oberstar, Chairman of the House Transportation Committee, "says the long-stalled New Haven-to-Springfield commuter rail project would be a natural fit for the kind of overhauled transit system that he envisions for America." Oberstar is about to lead the effort to draft Oberstar a multiyear, $400 billion to $450 billion federal transportation bill.

Way too early to celebrate, of course. Too much wheeling and dealing ahead to think that fed funding of the NHHS line will be a given. So stay tuned and keep chiming in with your elected and government officials.

Train Departing Amherst Station?

If the link above doesn't work for you, try http://www.valleyadvocate.com/article.cfm?aid=9665

A thoughtful look at the proposal to reroute the Vermonter north of Springfield to run through Greenfield, Northampton, and Holyoke. Extensive discussion with project planner Dana Roscoe of PVPC.

Be sure to come out to the May 19 & 20 meetings that PVPC is hosting about this project. Meeting details on the this main blog page or http://www.springfieldrail.org/.

Amherst to Push to Keep Amtrak

With a project like the proposed Knowledge Corridor Passenger Rail Study, that affects so many people in the Pioneer Valley, it's nice to have opportunities for a full discussion of what is being proposed and its potential pluses and minuses.

The study examines rerouting the Amtrak Vermonter to cut about 45 minutes off the trip to Vermont while adding station service to Holyoke, Northampton and Greenfield. It also examines the potential for establishing commuter rail service on the line.

If you have questions about these proposals, or just want to be part of the discussion, please attend one of the meetings the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) is holding May 19 & 20 in the area.

Pioneer Valley Advocates for Commuter Rail supporters will be attending both meetings.

PVPC Public Meetings on the Knowledge Corridor Passenger Rail Study
Date: 05-19-2009
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: TD Banknorth, 1441 Main St., Suite 1200, Springfield, MA 01103. Google map/directions. Parking is available in the lot behind the TD Banknorth building.

Date: 05-20-2009
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Clarion Hotel and Conference Center, 1 Atwood Dr., Northampton, MA 01060. From the Massachusetts Turnpike: Take exit 4. From I-91 North and South: Take exit 18, take a right at end of ramp. Hotel is 3 tenths of a mile on the right.

Franklin County, MA Transit Center -- Future Commuter Rail Stop -- Launched

So many wins from this project

Breaking ground on this transit center is exciting for many reasons. It will stimulate economic activity, it's a green multimodal center that will drastically minimize energy use and can actually generate energy, AND, it's another building block in both the restoration of passenger rail service from Springfield to Vermont and establishing commuter rail service from Vermont through Springfield all the way to New Haven, CT.

More signs from Gov. Patrick and Secy. Aloisi that they get how important investment in public transit -- in WESTERN MASS -- really is.

Turbo Boost for New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Commuter Rail project?

This could be awesome news for the prospects of commuter rail from Springfield to New Haven and more convenient access to NYC. Dodd and other legislators will need us to help make some noise to help win funding.

Stay tuned!

Business on board with rail expansion. In Minnesota. What about Massachusetts?

"[Minnesota businesses] see investing in transit infrastructure as a winner."

Rallying business support for passenger and commuter rail improvements in Western Mass is an easy sell. Businesses and organizations need a reliable, efficient transportation system as much or more than individuals do -- to conduct business, ensure that their employees can easily reach them, and to tap into the widest and deepest talent pool to attract new employees.

This is an area where the Pioneer Valley Advocates could use help. We have heard positive things from the business and community leaders we have spoken to. We need a more sustained and systematic approach to enlisting the support of the region's biggest employers -- like Univ. of Massachusetts, Bay State Health, Mass Mutual, Big Y, and others -- and the thousands of small businesses that produce so many jobs.

Your ideas and help are welcome!

Dodd: We need better transit to get our economy moving and address the challenges ahead

From the Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, which has jurisdiction over the transit portion of the transportation bill, a good indication that public transit will be a higher priority in the next bill.

Carrots and Sticks for Cleaner Transportation -- Petition from Transportation for America

Check it out and sign on if you agree!

Excerpt:
"Right now, one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions in the United States come from transportation! If we are going to successfully combat climate change, the clean energy bill must offer meaningful incentives for states and local governments to clean up transportation systems. We must support local initiatives to provide transportation alternatives and set state-wide goals and transportation pollution reduction goals that are in line with our national goal to build a cleaner future.

Sign your name to our national petition today, and tell key decision-makers in Congress to strengthen the transportation section of the new climate bill!"

Latest PVACR eNewsletter: Rail Updates & Apr. 16 General Meeting

Pioneer Valley Rail Progress
This is the most recent e-newsletter from Pioneer Valley Advocates for Commuter Rail. To get PVACR email updates and action alerts one to three times a month, be sure to subscribe.

Rail Advocates See Hope In Federal Stimulus Money

WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill reports on the efforts of New England Regional Rail Coalition members, including PVACR, to lobby for federal stimulus money for regional rail projects, including the Knowledge Corridor Passenger Rail line from Springfield to White River Junction, VT.

"A group of environmentalists, rail transportation advocates, planners and business people are lobbying to get federal stimulus money spent on passenger rail projects in New England. There is hope the federal money could be used to bring commuter rail to Western Massachusetts"

Full WAMC Northeast Public Radio report


NERRC and PVACR Press release announcing lobbying effort:

Working on the Railroad: NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL RAIL COALITION URGES FUNDING FOR RAIL

Gov. Patrick Discusses Commuter Rail in Western Mass at Town Forum

Q: "When and how soon, will the Pioneer Valley obtain commuter rail service? asked "Michael from East Longmeadow"

Gov. Patrick fielded a question about commuter rail from PVACR member and Treasurer, Michael Galvagni (thanks!) at a live town forum broadcast on WWLP Channel 22 last night. The Governor answered at some length about working with Connecticut and Vermont to provide commuter rail south and north from Springfield, but his bottom line is that we need federal help to get this done.

The question is asked at the 9 min, 20 sec point of this video segment, the third segment on the wwlp.com web site.

Palmer Seeks to Lure Amtrak

Palmer officials certainly appreciate the economic development and transportation benefits that rail brings. Anyone interested in learning about the projected benefits of the Knowledge Corridor Passenger Rail Line that the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) is studying and raising questions about it will have opportunities at two public meetings that are part of the study.

PVPC Public Meetings on the Knowledge Corridor Passenger Rail Study
Date: 05-19-2009
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: TD Banknorth, 1441 Main St., Suite 1200, Springfield, MA 01103.
Google map/directions. Parking is available in the lot behind the TD Banknorth building.

Date: 05-20-2009
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Clarion Hotel and Conference Center, 1 Atwood Dr., Northampton, MA 01060.
From the Massachusetts Turnpike: Take exit 4. From I-91 North and South: Take exit 18, take a right at end of ramp. Hotel is 3 tenths of a mile on the right.

Public meeting notices will go out the first week of May. We urge all rail supporters to bring their questions and notepads to learn more about expanding rail services in our region.

New PVACR Web site

Hi all - We've revamped the PVACR Web site with plenty of content about proposed rail projects in the Pioneer Valley. Please check it out -- and be sure to sign up for PVACR email updates for the latest news and chances to speak up in support of commuter rail.

Thank you

Email Gov Patrick About Commuter Rail for Springfield Town Hall

Let's make sure Gov. Patrick thinks of commuter rail every time he thinks of Western Mass. Send your question about commuter rail (questions@wwlp.com) for the Gov. to be asked at a town forum to be held in Springfield Apr. 6, hosted and broadcast online and TV by WWLP-22.

Not every question will be asked, but we want to make sure WWLP has LOTS of commuter rail questions to choose from and is reminded of how popular the issue is.

One question we have submitted: "What role will commuter rail play in your plan for economic recovery in Massachusetts, and especially Western Mass?"

NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL RAIL COALITION URGES FUNDING FOR RAIL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jen Cosgrove, Communications Dir., Pioneer Valley Advocates for Commuter Rail (PVACR), (413) 636-6707, pvacr@yahoo.com
Tom Irwin, Senior Attorney, Conservation Law Foundation, (603) 225-3060, tirwin@clf.org

$8 billion stimulus fund an important opportunity for New England

Springfield, MA (March 30, 2009) The recently formed New England Regional Rail Coalition (NERRC) is urging the investment of economic stimulus dollars in rail infrastructure in New England, to improve and expand existing rail services for the region. Pioneer Valley Advocates for Commuter Rail, a Western Mass-based grassroots group of rail advocates that is part of the coalition, has been working through the group to ensure that rail projects benefiting the Pioneer Valley will be considered for stimulus funding.

On March 27, NERRC wrote U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood and other federal officials to inform them of important needs and investment opportunities in New England, as officials begin to decide how best to distribute $8 billion of economic stimulus funding dedicated to intercity and high speed rail service.

“The stronger our connections are to economic centers throughout New England, the stronger we’ll be in Western Mass.,” said Jen Cosgrove, PVACR Communications Dir. “We are working with the NERRC to advocate for rail in New England, and especially the Pioneer Valley region, because acting in concert gives us a better chance of winning funding for building those strong connections.”

“A number of critical opportunities exist in the region to build a rail system that strengthens each of the New England states, and that better integrates the region not only with the rest of the country, but also with Canada,” said Tom Irwin , a senior attorney with the Conservation Law Foundation, a founding member of NERRC. “Our hope is that economic stimulus funds will be allocated to many of these projects, to begin the process of building a world class, sustainable transportation system for New England .”

The economic stimulus law – the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act – established a competitive grant program, with a total of $8 billion to be distributed to high-speed and intercity rail projects. NERRC’s letter identifies several key projects which, individually and collectively, will help integrate and strengthen New England ’s transportation system.

With specific regard to Western Massachusetts , the letter identifies:

1 – Rehabilitation of track infrastructure in Western Massachusetts for Amtrak’s Vermonter service. This project would involve the rehabilitation of rail infrastructure that parallels Interstate 91 through western Massachusetts ’ Pioneer Valley , greatly benefiting Amtrak’s Vermonter service between White River Junction, VT and Springfield , MA . The Vermonter currently travels an extra 40 to 50 minutes to avoid inadequate track infrastructure. At an estimated cost of $25 million, the project will make this detour unnecessary, allowing significant time- and fuel savings, as well as the restoration of rail service for two of the Pioneer Valley ’s largest communities – Greenfield and Northampton . The Pioneer Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization strongly supports this project, which would complement a plan to connect Springfield , MA and New Haven , CT with new commuter service.

2 - Establishment of commuter rail service between New Haven , CT and Springfield , MA . This project would bring much needed commuter rail service connecting New Haven , Hartford and Springfield , and numerous towns and cities in between. It also could provide important connections with Bradley International Airport , multiple links with Amtrak intercity service, and direct links to the existing Metro North and Shore Line East Commuter Rail in New Haven . The project would involve railroad right-of-way owned by Amtrak, and would complement north-south improvements for the Amtrak Vermonter rehabilitation project discussed above.

The New England Regional Rail Coalition is a new and growing collaboration of business interests, planning organizations, and transportation and environmental advocates which recognize the need and value of significantly greater investment in rail in the New England region. NERRC believes an enhanced and expanded rail network is essential to safeguarding New England ’s economic competitiveness and reducing the economic, environmental and social costs associated with our region’s current, predominantly highway-oriented system.

For additional information regarding the Coalition and its work, including a copy of the Coalition’s letter to Secretary Lahood, please contact Jen Cosgrove at (413) 636-6707 or pvacr@yahoo.com or Tom Irwin at (603) 225-3060, ext. 15, or via email at tirwin@clf.org.

###

The Pioneer Valley Advocates for Commuter Rail (www.springfieldrail.org, pvacr.blogspot.com) is an all-volunteer group of concerned citizens in Western Mass and Connecticut who want to help bring commuter rail and its many transportation, economic, and environmental benefits to the region. Our supporters include commuters, students, job seekers, community leaders, business owners, policymakers, and rail enthusiasts, among others.

The Conservation Law Foundation (www.clf.org) works to solve the most significant environmental challenges facing New England . CLF’s advocates use law, economics and science to create innovative strategies to conserve natural resources, protect public health and promote vital communities in our region. Founded, in 1966, CLF is a nonprofit, member-supported organization with offices in Maine , Massachusetts , New Hampshire , Rhode Island and Vermont .

Meeting Report: NARP Regional Conference

Thanks to PVACR supporters Michael Galvagni (also group Treasurer) and Susan Winholz for this report:

Susan and I attended the March 21, 2009 meeting of the National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) in New London , CT.

I thought the highlight of the event was speaker Jim Cameron. Mr. Cameron formerly worked for NBC news. He is now self-employed and writes a blog called Talking Transportation )

Here is his posting in Talking Transportation about the meeting (Susan is one of the “…dutiful wives along to support their husbands’ hobby, knitting all through the meeting.”). I see no free mittens coming from Susan anytime soon!

While I enjoyed Cameron’s presentation there were two downsides. First, most of his discussion was about Metro North and the arrival of new trains on that line. More importantly was his prediction that Hartford and Springfield would not see commuter rail service for 8 more years. Mr. Terry Hall, who was representing Mr. Bruce Becker, NARP’s Northeastern Division Leader, disagreed with Cameron on when we would see commuter rail. Terry predicted we would see service in a few years but that it would be brought in on a phased manner. The phased in manner would be advertised as a step toward full implementation - which he predicted would never happen. In other words Susan and I basically heard two conflicting reports both of which were pessimistic.

I will largely defer to quoting Mr. Cameron for much of the rest of this report because he covered the meeting as well as I could hope to. Ross Capon, President of NARP spoke on the current situation of Amtrak and the stimulus package. As Cameron says in his posting, “Capon gave a great speech about the many changes in Washington breathing new life into rail: increased funding for Amtrak, new initiatives to force freight rail lines to expedite passenger trains, even discussions about ten new high-speed rail corridors across the country.”

Having lived in Texas for 25 years Mr. Capon put a smile on my face when he took a poke at Lone Star State for wanting to build another highway ring around Houston with little or no consideration for Mass Transit.

Again I quote Mr. Cameron, “Another NARP officer (Mr. Al Papp, NARP’s Vice Chair for Legislative Policy & Strategy) spoke of the crazy plans by NJ Transit to build new tunnels under the Hudson River which would dead-end at a new underground station for Garden State commuters instead of continuing on to Grand Central.”

Mr. Papp’s basic point here was that the Amtrak high speed rail between Washington DC and the Northeast would be unable to (or have limited use of) Hudson River tunnels. He passionately referred to the plan by NJ Transit as “holding 50 million people hostage.”

There was supposed to be someone at the meeting to discuss the status of rail in Massachusetts but he must not have made the meeting.

Springfield Union Station Redevelopment Update -- Agreement Within "Next Few Months"?

With encouraging news breaking lately about commuter rail services running South and North from Springfield ("Governors of Mass., Conn. lobby Amtrak to expand commuter rail service between Springfield and New Haven," Mar. 25, Springfield Republican, "Expanded rail service considered," Mar. 23, Springfield Republican), we think it's a good time to ask:

What's happening with the redevelopment plan for Springfield's Union Station, which will serve as the connecting hub for those services?

In Oct. 2008, the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority and the Springfield Redevelopment Authority announced the completion of the Union Station Intermodal Transit Center plan. PVTA's press release said that "The next phase of the plan will be to secure approval from the Federal Transit Administration and the Executive Office of Transportation, followed by the establishment of a joint development agreement between the PVTA and the SRA to oversee construction and operations. "

We called Brian Conners, Interim Chief Development Officer, who is managing the project for the Springfield Office of Planning and Economic Development (413-787-6664) for an update. He said that they are "still moving forward, a little slower than they would like," in part due to some personnel changes in the city and in their legal representation. They have been negotiating the agreement with PVTA about who will be responsible for what and also working on gaining approval from their federal and state partners on the project. Even so, Connors anticipates that they will have the approvals they need and an agreement in place in the "next few months." This will enable the partners to put out a solicitation for a designer to produce the final design.

So there you have it. So stay tuned for an announcement about hitting the next milestone in the Union Station redevelopment project in "the next few months." Now -- how soon can we expect to see that final design?????

Governors of Mass., Conn. lobby Amtrak to expand commuter rail service between Springfield and New Haven

Interstate cooperation between MA and CT -- especially at the governors level -- to work with Amtrak to add commuter rail service from Springfield to New Haven is very encouraging.

Expanded Rail Service from Springfield to VT Considered

This is very good news that the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission is working so hard to qualify improvements to rail service from Springfield to VT for federal stimulus funds.

As the article mentions, the PVPC has been conducting the Knowledge Corridor Passenger Rail study since May 2008. Last June, a PVACR volunteer participated as a stakeholder in a partnering workshop that is part of the study. Consulting with stakeholders throughout the region is an important part of the study. Hopefully these steps will help residents and their elected leaders come to a consensus about supporting the work that is needed to make rail a force for economic growth and greener transportation in our area.

The article mentions that public hearings will be held in May as part of this project. I'm sure many rail supporters will want to attend!

Springfield to VT Rail to Compete for Stimulus Funds

This is very good news for our chances of seeing commuter rail service from VT to Springfield. This could also help spur activity with the Union Station Redevelopment project, AND, we hope, the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield commuter rail project.

Springfield is a natural transportation hub. There are a lot of benefits that will flow with that if we'll make some sensible investments.

Speak up for Western MA commuter rail at local transportation hearing Mar. 4, 4:00p

Although there is heated debate surrounding the Governor's recent gas tax proposal, at least commuter rail in Western MA, both the link from Springfield to New Haven and north to VT, is part of the discussion. That's good news.

Regardless of how policymakers, with input from voters, decide how to pay for transportation reform, we want to make sure commuter rail is considered vital to improving the economy and environment, as well as aiding commuters and the businesses that depend on them.

Please join members of Pioneer Valley Advocates for Commuter Rail in supporting commuter rail at an important hearing next week. The first of four state hearings on the governor's proposal will be held Wednesday, Mar. 4 at 4 p.m. at Springfield Technical Community College, in the Scibelli Hall Theater (http://www.stcc.edu/aboutcampus/directions.asp).

Chairing that hearing will be Rep. Joseph F. Wagner of Chicopee. For more information about the hearing, you can contact his Chicopee office at 413-592-7857.

Please make sure all parties in this debate about funding our transportation needs know that bringing commuter rail to Western MA is a top priority.

DOT Chief Pushing Light Rail As Connecticut's Best Way To Go

It's good to hear Joseph Marie keep banging the drum for rail. Still going in the right direction, at least.

MA Transportation Secy Ties New Commuter Rail Line in Springfield Area to Proposed Gas Tax Increase

We're bound to have a heated debate about whether the proposed 19-cent gas tax is an appropriate trade-off for "a NEW COMMUTER RAIL LINE, expanded transit service, and additional road and bridge work" for Western MA, as the state Secy of Transportation is proposing, but I personally hope the tremendous economic and environmental benefits of commuter rail don't get drowned out.

I'll be reminding policymakers that however it's paid for, we need the estimated $152 million in economic stimulus that the proposed commuter rail project from Springfield to New Haven will bring Western MA as well as less congested highways and a lowering of polluting and greenhouse gas producing emissions. And Secy Aloisi is talking about extending the commuter rail line to VT (yes!) -- which would go a long way toward establishing Springfield as a major transportation hub for north-south travel -- and looking forward, a bigger hub for east-west travel.

Western MA has a LOT to gain if we can lock in new commuter rail and other transit improvements. I want to make sure policymakers are considering all the short and long term benefits as they overhaul our state's transportation system.

OUR VIEW: A better way to ride - The Bristol Press: Bristol, Conn., and surrounding areas (BristolPress.com)

OUR VIEW: A better way to ride - The Bristol Press: Bristol, Conn., and surrounding areas (BristolPress.com)

Senate compromise preserves transit funding — for now

THANK YOU everyone who has been contacting their elected officials to increase and protect funding for mass transit in the stimulus bill.

Advocates for NEW highway construction (not just the repairs we sorely need) that would increase our dependence on foreign oil and more polluting modes of travel, may still try to raid mass transit funding as the bill moves to a vote in the Senate and conference.

Thank you for your continued support!

New Haven-Hartford-Springfield commuter rail included in new DOT Master Transportation Plan - Rick Green | CT Confidential

New Haven-Hartford-Springfield commuter rail included in new DOT Master Transportation Plan - Rick Green | CT Confidential

Please send this email to your U.S. senators by clicking on link

PROTECT MASS TRANSIT IN STIMULUS from these amendments

Please take a quick minute to send this email provided by PVACR partner, Transportation for America, to your U.S. senators. There are some amendments being considered this week that threaten spending on rail and other mass transit.

http://action.smartgrowthamerica.org/t/3224/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=1018

Please share with your friends -- Thank you!

Back on Tracks

A PVACR member brought this thoughtful article by Phillip Longman in Washington Monthly to our attention. A quick snippet:

"What the government should do instead is make creative use of public/private partnerships—like the deal Virginia cut with Norfolk Southern—to fund more rail infrastructure and better integration of trucks and trains."

Jan. 27 Calls Needed to Support Amendments to Increase Mass Transit Stimulus funding

Please contact U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern
Tue. Jan 27 before 3:30 Rules Committee Meeting
If you want to see more funding for public transportation in the House economic recovery bill (H.R. 1 – The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) that is moving through Congress, there are two amendments (described below) to support before Tue. Jan. 27 at 3:30p. They need approval from the House Rules Committee to get a vote on the floor.

To voice your support, please contact House Rules Committee member, Rep. Jim McGovern (MA 3rd District)

34 Mechanic Street
Worcester , MA 01608
Phone: (508) 831-7356
Fax: (508) 754-0982

Washington Office
438 Cannon Building
Washington , DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-6101
Fax: (202) 225-5759
Given the tight timeframe, a phone call will probably be more effective, but to reach Rep. McGovern by email, you can go to https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml and enter 01608 under zip code to send a message.

The Rules Committee hearing tomorrow will determine whether these amendments will be allowed on the floor.

1) Representative DeFazio (D-OR) will offer an Amendment to including $2 billion in operating assistance for public transportation authorities across the country to meet growing ridership in the face of serious budget cuts.
2) Representative Nadler (D-NY) will also offer an Amendment to increase the capital transit investment from $9 billion to $12 billion.

A quick phone call can help make big difference. Ask a friend to call too!

If you're really on a roll, any influence with the other members of the Rules Committee would be welcome.

DOT Still Headed In The Wrong Direction -- Courant.com

DOT Still Headed In The Wrong Direction -- Courant.com

Memo To Prez: Build Railroads -- Courant.com

Memo To Prez: Build Railroads -- Courant.com

All Hail To Rail, DOT Commissioner Says

Rick Green's column paints a very pro-rail picture of Joseph Marie, CT's transportation commissioner. Sounds to me like the right person for this job.

A point on interim commuter service between Springfield and New Haven caught my attention:

"Although cutting a deal with Amtrak to run a few commuter trains along the existing tracks between Hartford and New Haven might be a good idea, Marie said that a half-baked effort could be worse than nothing."

AMTRAK to Connecticut: Commuter Rail won't come cheap - Rick Green | CT Confidential

AMTRAK to Connecticut: Commuter Rail won't come cheap - Rick Green | CT Confidential

AMTRAK to Connecticut: Commuter Rail won't come cheap

Advocates see opening for rail projects

Information about The Knowledge Corridor Line may be found here.

Partnering study:
found here

Rift forms over Stimulus Plan

"...[T]he future of commuter rail in our region will be projects like the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield rail line."

Excerpt from Sen. Chris Dodd's excellent address to the well-attended Regional Transportation Forum presented by the Connecticut Sierra Club and the National Corridors Initiative on Jan. 9:

"...[I]n a matter of days, we will have a president and a Congress that understand the benefits that investments in public transportation can bring not only on the macro level—to reducing congestion, increasing mobility, improving energy security, and addressing climate change—but the community level as well – helping connect workers to the jobs communities need, from the mechanics, nurses, and plumbers, to the young engineers and entrepreneurs, to those in our high tech and bio tech industries and others...."

Advocates See Economic Opening For Rail Projects

Excerpts from an interesting article on the "Need for Speed" forum sponsored by the Sierra Club and National Corridors Initiative held Jan. 9 (link to full article above).

"Legislators promised a new effort to break a "highways first" culture in state government, and former U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons described the Obama administration's stimulus plan as an extraordinary chance to expand rapid transit throughout Connecticut and New England...."

"....Dodd cited the long-overdue Springfield-to-Hartford-to-New Haven commuter rail project as an example of what New England needs to be economically competitive in the 21st century...."

PVACR Meeting Jan. 14 7:00-8:30p

PVACR January Meeting – Note earlier start time

When: Wed. Jan. 14, 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Where: Lathrop House B&B (http://www.lathrophousebandb.com/), 188 Sumner Ave., Springfield, MA 01108

Agenda items:
1 - Consider partnering with Transportation for America (www.t4america.org).
2 – Collecting petition signatures during the Amherst Railway Society Railroad Hobby Show at the Big E Jan. 24-25, 2009

If you can't make the meeting, please chime in at pvacr@yahoo.com.

PVPC Knowledge Corridor Passenger Rail Study

The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission has launched its newsletter to update interested people about the Knowledge Corridor Passenger Rail Study.

The study is examining reestablishment of passenger rail service on the Conn River Line between Springfield, MA and White River Junction, VT. For more information and to sign up for the e-newsletter, check out http://www.pvpc.org/corridor/getinvolved.html

River Line Would Be Link To Prosperity -- Courant.com

River Line Would Be Link To Prosperity -- Courant.com