This week--make your voice heard!

Another notice (see the blog list for more stories) on the upcoming hearings.

Wilbur Smith

Wilbur Smith's NHHS study blogged here(link to study as well)

PVACR part of "Bringing in the Green" Expo, Dec. 6

Pioneer Valley Advocates for Commuter Rail is joining a variety of green companies and organizations to help show people how they can save money while they help save the environment.

The first ever "Bringing in the Green" Exposition in East Longmeadow will be taking place Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Council on Aging, located at 328 North Main St.

We'll be collecting signatures in support of bringing commuter rail to the region and educating people about the many benefits of commuter rail, to the environment, our economy, and everyone who lives in the area.

Please stop by and send some friends our way!

 

Western Mass. must be part of commuter rail service
by Nancy Considine

To the editor:

Praise to Governor Patrick for wanting better planning for expansion projects in the state's transport system, especially for commuter rail service. He outlined his intentions in a statement Nov. 13, but excluded any mention of planning for commuter rail service for western Massachusetts.

Governor Patrick suggests that new agencies make a "realistic plan." If so, then those agencies must make provisions for service to the communities here in the western part of the state. I suggest, specifically, that any new planning include the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield project being supported by the Pioneer Valley Advocates for Commuter Rail.

Already in Connecticut's transportation plan is commuter rail service from New Haven/Hartford into Springfield. Massachusetts is being asked to contribute 10 percent, or an estimated $30 million dollars, of the project's cost. Connecticut has pledged to pay 90 percent of the project cost for commuter rail service terminating in Springfield. If Massachusetts does not appropriate this money, the commuter trains will come to Springfield, turn around, head back to Connecticut, but will not open their doors so that workers, students, commuters and visitors may ride.

The Advocates for Commuter Rail encourage Massachusetts to pledge the 10 percent of costs now so that this needed service will be in effect by 2011-2012. This volunteer group also encourages a feasibility study for commuter rail service in the "Knowledge Corridor" to provide inexpensive and accessible rail travel between Springfield and White River Junction, Vt.

Pioneer Valley Advocates estimate that immediately the commuter rail project from New Haven/Hartford/Springfield will create new jobs, stimulate new economic activity and importantly improve air quality by taking cars off the highways. Trains help cut the region's carbon emissions.

Readers can find more information about Pioneer Valley Advocates of Commuter Rail on its Web page: www.SpringfieldRail.org.

Nancy Considine

Hatfield

Hello everyone,

Thank you for your continued support for bringing commuter rail and
all of its benefits to the Pioneer Valley region. The New Haven-
Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) commuter rail project has gained a
tenuous "toe-hold" in the MA budget process. As we all know, though,
projects have a way of getting put on the back burner or cut all
together if clear, strong support doesn't ring out.

Please help ensure that this region gets all the benefits we need to
thrive (not just hang on!) – for our economy, the environment, and
ourselves as commuters and travelers.

JOIN IN
Come see us at a meeting or outreach event. And, please, if you have
some time, materials, or money to pitch in to make these efforts
successful, let us know!

Dec. 6, 2008, 10:00a-2:00p – "Bringing in the Green" Exposition --
Hosted by East Longmeadow Green Committee, this is a great
opportunity to highlight the environmental benefits of commuter rail
and gather petition signatures. Where: Council on Aging, 328 North
Pleasant Street, East Longmeadow, MA 01028.

Dec. 8, 6:00p – ConnDOT Public Scoping Hearing for New Haven-Hartford-
Springfield (NHHS) Commuter Rail service – Hearings for the
preparation of an Environmental Assessment (EA) for proposed
improvements for the NHHS service. Where: TD Banknorth Conference
Center, 1441 Main Street, Springfield, MA.

Dec. 17, 7:30-9:00p – PVACR Monthly Meeting – Enjoy the company of
fellow supporters and help us plan activities for outreach to
businesses and green groups in early 2009. East Longmeadow Library,
60 Center Square, East Longmeadow, MA, 01028

Jan. 24-25, 2009, TBD – Amherst Railway Society Railroad Hobby Show –
We're making plans to be involved in this amazing annual show that
draws huge crowds of passionate rail fans. Where: The "Big E",
Eastern States Exposition Fairgrounds, Memorial Avenue, West
Springfield MA. 01089

SPEAK UP
Please keep giving us your ideas and feedback – and let your
government representatives know why you support commuter rail:
In Oct., PVACR participated in the MA Executive Office Of
Transportation's Workshop. They want to hear from more rail
supporters. Please send your story about why we need commuter rail in
Western MA to planning@eot.state.ma.us and check out
http://www.youmovemassachusetts.org/ to receive their newsletter.
As always, we appreciate being copied on your letters and emails of
support when possible.

Please share this information with friends and family who are ready
for this region to rev up again!

THANK YOU and have a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving

Dodd and Region

Sen. Dodd knows the issue is regional:

"Dodd said that he would try to have the transportation station included in an economic stimulus package planned for late January / early February."

"Dodd commented that there was a growing bipartisan consensus on the need to invest in infrastructure, “Yesterday, I attended a meeting at the American Enterprise Institute, a fairly conservative think tank. The way they talked about infrastructure, I could have sworn that I was at an AFL-CIO meeting.” According to Dodd, Congress plans to utilize a bottom-up approach that concentrates infrastructure funding on local government projects, like the multi-modal transportation center."

"Senator Dodd stressed the importance of having Longmeadow and East Longmeadow officials involve members of the Massachusetts Congressional delegation to buttress the argument that this is a regional issue."

transport makers

Excellent article by Robert Goodman

Union Station Redevelopment

Thanks to Herb for pointing me toward the new Union Station redevelopment report.

How much money?

The American Public Transportation Association has posted a calculator to help commuters determine how much money they could save on gas if they used public transportation instead of driving their car. It does not factor in wear and tear on the automobile, however.

9-6 event

The PVACR invites you to attend a meeting with Lt. Gov. Tim Murray to discuss commuter rail in our region.

Sept. 6, 2008

12 noon-2pm

Springfield City Library Community Room

RSVP: pvacr@yahoo.com

We are trying to educate the public about the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Commuter Rail line and need donations to fund our efforts.

The NHHS line could bring an $152 million in new economic development to our region. It could help our environment by reducing car traffic. It could stimulate local bus companies to create shuttle services between the train stop in downtown Springfield and employers.

Estimated cost: $30 million to Massachusetts.

next meetings

August 21: Next monthly meeting at 7:30 pm, Lathrop House B&B at 188 Sumner Ave., Springfield, MA

Sept. 6: Listen to Lt. Gov. Murray talk about commuter rail in the Springfield Main Library's Community Room at 12 noon. (suggested donation to PVACR of $20.--funds will pay for brochures)

NCI op-ed

Jim RePass of the National Corridors Initiative offers some sharp words for the delay in the commuter rail line. What I had understood was that the delay was caused by the new parking lots and new stations--not the train tracks themselves. I will look into this further.

Hartford Courant "EPA Will Delay State Commuter Rail Line" By JAMES P. REPASS

July 20, 2008

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, under the Bush administration utterly supine to nearly every extractive, Superfund site-creating and/or polluting industry, has suddenly gotten religion.

They have decided to save us from the environmental dangers of ... commuter rail!

Gov. Jodi Rell and legislative leaders have forged a bipartisan plan to re-introduce commuter rail service on the existing train route between New Haven, Hartford and Springfield, extending up to Brattleboro if our friends in Vermont join in, as they say they will.

But the EPA is having none of this "rail" thing. It has ordered a full-blown environmental impact statement to determine whether it is safe to replace some track and run trains in exactly the same place trains have run for the past 150 years.

If left unchallenged, this action will delay for at least two years the start of work on a desperately needed commuter rail line. As The Courant recently reported, high gas prices are making it increasingly difficult for inner-city residents to get to their jobs. Middle-class commuters are feeling the crunch as well. The rail service will not only save money and reduce petroleum use and attendant pollution, but prod the creation of transit-oriented development that will help revive the economies of every town along the line.
...

Whence the newfound Bush administration "environmentalism?" As readers may note, a few weeks ago the Bureau of Land Management, which has with a vengeance promoted the opening of millions of acres of public lands to mining, timbering and drilling during the Bush years, finally has had second thoughts about the environmental impact of activities on said lands.

...

We call upon the congressional delegations of Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to draft legislation exempting any such commuter rail project, not just here but anywhere in America, from any environmental impact review whatsoever. When an existing right of way is to be put to the use for which it was designed as much as 100 or 150 years ago, there is no reason on earth the federal government needs to protect anything — unless they are meaning to protect the oil lobby, which elected them and continues to pay them, from the competition, and relief from traffic congestion, that good commuter rail invariably provides.

"Big," a commenter on the article suggests the following course of action:

"Instead of calling on Congress to completely exempt rail from environmental impact studies, as the article suggests, why not simply ask Congress to expedite, or fast-track, this study?"

"Frustrated Commuter" added the following:
"Have I missed the discussion of how the New Haven-Hartford rail effort is already years behind. The final report on the project was delivered to the CT-DOT in June 2005 (http://www.ct.gov/dotinfo/cwp /view.asp?a=2181&q=295670 &dotinfoNav=)
and wasn't some funding allocated shortly thereafter... Please help me understand why they are just now getting on with EIS submissions some 3 years later.(And not just railbeds, but for new stations, parking lots and more...)

Also, what ever happenned to the discussion of securing the railbeds from Amtrak ownership to help streamline the process.

I'm still hoping to see viable commuter rail from New Haven to Hartford before planned retirement in 10 years, but my optimism is being challenged. "

Independence from Oil

In a terrific op-ed on rail, the Globe's Derrick Z. Jackson quotes Michael Dukakis: "There isn't a part of the country that doesn't want more rail."

We agree....heck, we'd like to have commuter rail.

Return of Rail

Discussion of the June 25 event has begun on Masslive.com and is producing some interesting reading. For one example, read this article on the return of rail.

April 10, 2008

John R. Stilgoe: ‘Train travel will supplant highway and air travel in the next few decades. Furthermore, electric railroads will increasingly be used to distribute freight items as well as mail and express packages.’
Staff photo Will Nunnally/Harvard News Office

It seems responses fall into 3 major types: whole-hearted supporters (a majority), supportive skeptics, and critics. Among the supportive skpetics, there are lots of questions about details. One poster engaged in a discussion, even seeking out information (like that article above). That is what the discussion needs--more information, not less. Among the critics, there are reminders that we have buses. Buses and cars and planes don't solve all transportation problems. Neither does rail--BUT if we avoid using one mode because we are worried about the impact on another, that does us a disservice. Historically, positive developments have resulted in regions with commuter rail. Our region does not have a good public transportation system. It's getting better, but too slowly.

June 25 Event

You are welcome to attend the release of the

Report to Highlight Need for Better Transportation Options ...Officials and transit advocates point to New Haven--Hartford--Springfield commuter rail

WHAT: MASSPIRG is coordinating a press conference to make the case for better public transportation options and release a new report that analyzes the average household's federal economic stimulus rebate compared to the average household's spending on gasoline.

MASSPIRG will be releasing the report with local and state officials, commuter rail advocates, and the regional planning commission to highlight the revitalization of Union Station and proposed commuter rail connecting New Haven to Hartford to Springfield, and eventually all the way to Vermont.

WHO: Phineas Baxandall, MASSPIRG Senior Policy Analyst
Timothy Brennan, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission Executive Director
David Panagore, Chief Development Officer for the City of Springfield
Rebecca Townsend with Pioneer Valley Advocates for Commuter Rail
Cheryl Coakley-Rivera, Springfield State Representative
Kevin Kennedy from Congressman Neal's office

WHY: This month, the average price of gasoline in Massachusetts hit $4.00 a gallon. In response, transit ridership has surged, but too many commuters are without transit options.

With many transit expansion projects planned, high gas prices make it clear that these types of investments must move forward. Plus, the current federal transportation funding system expires in 2009, presenting an opportunity to see more federal funding dedicated to public transportation.

WHEN: Wednesday, June 25th, 2008, 11:30 AM.

WHERE: Springfield Union Station

Subsidies

Reuters has a Q& A with Amtrak President Alex Kummantwith at that link. Among the fascinating things, we find out how much other modes of transportation are subsidized:

Q: Is there a goal for Amtrak to be profitable, and should it be profitable?
A: "I think it is absolute mythology that there's any national system that is profitable. And I think the naysayers just have to get over it. There is no example. If you peel apart the British rail privatization, there were a tremendous numbers of problems with that. People say Oh look at these wonderful new trains running around here. It's all because of the miracle of the private market.' That's complete nonsense. There's a bunch of new trains running around there because they spent five times as much tax money today as they did in 1990. And actually if you look at the subsidy structures, we are awash in subsidies for all modes of transportation. There's a $10 billion a year cash transfer from the general fund to the Highway Trust Fund. FAA gets $2.7 billion. We pay all security at Amtrak and yet there is a $1.5 billion subsidy that goes beyond any user fees for security in air travel.
There's $8 billion that goes into security and life safety for cruise ships. There's four-plus billion dollars that goes to waterways. Let's not even get into airport construction which is a miasma of state, federal and local tax breaks and tax refinancing and God knows what. And then there's private aviation which gets huge subsidies in accelerated depreciation loss for small aircraft. So I always get a good chuckle, if I'm in a good mood, when people talk about subsidized Amtrak. It's always a lot of fun then to reel off every other mode that is subsidized. And one final point. If you actually look at the amount of public capital that flows into the rail network per passenger, it's like $40 a passenger for Amtrak and $500 to $700 per automobile out there through the highways.
One final point is that the network matters. So you can find some juicy little piece of railroad that has just the right density and say Wow we make money here'. But guess what? If you peel that out and privatize it, your costs for running the rest of the network just went up. And it's actually connectivity that matters. So it's an entire network that matters. And if you don't have an entire network, you end up with a ridiculous patchwork of short little lanes of things that make no sense from a national system."

Next meeting 6/19

Reminder

Our June 19 meeting will be at 7:30, in the Lathrop House Bed & Breakfast at 188 Sumner Ave., Springfield, MA.

Among other items, we will discuss:

-The Future of Transportation Meeting
-A National Corridors Initiative connection
-PVACR's recent meeting with the CT DOT Environmental Assessment team

And, of course, we will discuss how the new Transportation Bond Bill & Amtrak re-authorization affects our work.

Please also keep this on your calendar:

PVACR-MassPIRG event 6/25 11:30am @ Union Station (if you can't come, be sure you watch the news)

Bond Bill 2: The sequel's better than the first

Thanks to Dan Ring for bringing this to our attention:

The House will vote on Bond Bill 2 tomorrow, Wednesday, June 11.

6001-0804 For the purpose of implementing rail improvements under chapter 161C of the General Laws; provided, that funds may be used for transportation planning, design, permitting and engineering for heavy rail, light rail and bus projects, which shall include the Urban Ring, Blue Line extension to Lynn, the Connecticut River Knowledge Corridor Line and South Coast initiatives; provided, however, that that the extension of the Blue Line to Lynn shall be restricted to existing commuter rail rights of way excluding narrow gauge rail line rights of way; provided further, that funds may be used for the acquisition of interests in land; provided further, that $220,000 shall be expended for Phase II disabled accessibility renovations at the rail depot in the town of Athol; and provided further, that $50,000 shall be expended to study the feasibility of constructing a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Commuter Rail station in the town of West Bridgewater.........................$90,000,000

(more to come)

Just Take Public Transportation

"...Or taking public transportation."

The Globe's reporting of a survey about gas prices changing travel habits includes that deceptively small line. Public transportation, if available, would enable communities to remain stable, reducing the transient population of talent and creativity, of community-minded folks who also want to work in interesting jobs. Or, let's face it, if the only job you can get is in a place you cannot afford to live in, you are stuck. Look at Western New England.....transportation choices.

Increasing # of Train Commuters

It would be nice to flock to a train to save money and conserve energy.....people in Boston have that option. The Boston Globe has this graphic to accompany their article today about commuters increasing their use of the T:

It seems that Secretary Cohen understands the significance of trains to the region: ""We want to keep these riders," said state Transportation Secretary Bernard Cohen. "It's not good for the region if people try the T and then go back to their cars.""