Fw: [A_A] Fw: [LRPPro] Fwd: Town to push to keep Amtrak Vermonter

[Richard L. Friedman]

Vermonters are no smarter than Southerners so why do they see stimulus as a way to keep Amtrak service, while Florida, Gerogia, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas can 't figure out how to do anything excpt worship at the altar of "corridor service."

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Sent: Friday, May 1, 2009 2:48:46 PM
Subject: [A_A] Fw: [LRPPro] Fwd: Town to push to keep Amtrak Vermonter


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From: Andrew Dawson
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Sent: Friday, May 01, 2009 4:47 PM
Subject: [LRPPro] Fwd: Town to push to keep Amtrak Vermonter







---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: avrom shtern <adiron...@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, May 1, 2009 at 1:03 PM
Subject: RE: Town to push to keep Amtrak Vermonter
To: Abram Shtern <adiron...@gmail.com>







Town to push to keep Amtrak
By SCOTT MERZBACH, RICHIE DAVIS and MARY CAREY Staff Writers
Published on May 01, 2009
Town officials are gearing up to advocate for regional public transportation in light of the threatened loss passenger-rail service in Amherst.


With potential stimulus money, regional planners and officials hope to begin by moving Amtrak's Vermonter through Northampton and Greenfield, onto tracks that can carry passenger trains faster than 10 miles per hour.

The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission is seeking stimulus funds to refurbish roughly 50 miles of track between Springfield and Northfield, eliminating the current detour through Palmer and Amherst that now adds 50 minutes to the Vermonter's schedule, according to commission planner Dana Roscoe.

A $750,000 study of the project is nearing completion, with informational meetings planned next month and a target of applying in August for stimulus money for the first phase of a service that could eventually offer multiple commuter runs a day to Springfield and New Haven.

About 1,000 passengers a month for a total of 12,679 in 2008 got on or off the Vermonter in Amherst, headed for Washington or points north. It's by far the busiest stop along the route in western Massachusetts with the exception of Springfield, said PVPC planner Dana Roscoe. The train also stops in New York City.

But by rerouting a leg between Palmer and Springfield and eliminating a stop in Amherst, while adding stops in Northampton, Greenfield and Holyoke, Amtrak could reduce travel time and save the Vermonter, Roscoe said. The Green Mountain State subsidizes the aptly named Vermonter 100 percent - Massachusetts contributes nothing, Roscoe said.

Larry Ely, chairman of the Pioneer Valley Relocalization Project, told the Select Board Monday that he is alarmed at the possible elimination of the Vermonter Amtrak stop from Amherst.

Ely's group, which works on promoting transportation issues in Amherst and neighboring towns that aim to reduce the carbon footprint, is opposed to a suggestion from the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission to eliminate the stop.

"It seems like it's pitting Amherst against Northampton," Ely said.

Ely said trains have better carbon efficiency than cars and would like to see both communities receive the benefits brought by train service.

Rob Crowner, a member of the town's Public Works Committee, said continued rail service in Amherst is a key component of the town's draft master plan.

Also troubled by the possible loss is Steve Randall, a Town Meeting member. Randall said the state of Vermont appears to be unhappy with picking up the full cost of the Vermonter. Eliminating the loop to Amherst would cut 40 to 50 minutes of time.

Town Manager Larry Shaffer said he supports expansion of rail line service to other communities, but not at the expense of what Amherst already has.

Amherst, Shaffer said, should be viewed as a critical east-west link.

"Plans that take our station out I will oppose vigorously," Shaffer said.

Select Board Chairwoman Stephanie O'Keeffe said the Select Board could form a task force to respond as the issue continues to develop. She will be working with Shaffer to find the best way for town officials to proceed and have formal discussions on the topic.

The Planning Commission has scheduled informational sessions May 20 at 7 p.m. at the Clarion Hotel in Northampton, as well as one May 19 at the same time in Springfield's TD Banknorth Conference Center.



      Town to push to keep Amtrak
      Amherst Bulletin - Amherst,MA,USA
      The Green Mountain State subsidizes the aptly named Vermonter 100 percent ... alarmed at the possible elimination of the Vermonter Amtrak stop from Amherst. ...
   


http://www.amherstbulletin.com/story/id/138280/












[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



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