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.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
Sunday, February 8, 2009
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!
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!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
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!
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!
Sunday, February 1, 2009
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."
"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."
Monday, January 26, 2009
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.
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.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
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."
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."
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
"...[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...."
"...[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...."
Sunday, January 11, 2009
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...."
"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...."
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
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.
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
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
Sunday, January 4, 2009
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