Central MA Transportation

Monday, November 06, 2006

The other white meat.


Front page S&E headlines on Saturday read "Report doubts impact of rail money".

This article nailed it. Proponents of commuter rail love to point to passenger rail in Europe as an example we should follow. However, this isn't Europe, our communities are not laid out the way cities and villages in Europe are. The article correctly identifies this when it states "...efforts to increase density, reduce sprawl, and promote transit should start with local land use policies and then link those policies with transportation plans", plan properly first and rail will begin to make sense. Sadly, people like Matt Straight, and public officials like Mayor Dan H. Mylott, U.S. Rep. John Olver, and at-large City Councilor Stephen DiNatale, that reject the finding of the study don't get it.

This is our tax money gentlemen, and the "Harvard University study" doesn't need to prove that they're right. No gentlemen, if want to spend our money it's you that needs to prove the benefit of spending tax dollars on this pork barrel project. Front page S&E headlines on Saturday read "Report doubts impact of rail money".

posted by noway at 7:55 PM on Nov 06 2006

On 11/11/2006

Thomas Shawn said...

They may have to spend the $300M on the rail because the chances of making route 2 a real highway through Concord and Lincoln are approximately 0%.


Thomas, your assessment of the resistance of Concord and Lincoln to significant redesign of Rt 2 in their communities is spot on.

Here's some additional information on the issue of commuter rail and the commute on Rt 2.

On Wednesday 11/15, I attended the Montachusett Joing Transportation Committee meeting. Mohammed Kahn made the presentation regarding public transportation.

It was noted that there will be a fare increase on the MART buses. An adult fare will go from 75 cents to $1, and fares for seniors will go from 35 cents to 50 cents. Ridership is expected to drop by 5% and then to gradually rise to current levels.

It was also noted that Commuter Rail fares are currently at $6 per trip but are expected to rise to between $7.50 and $8.00. No corresponding drop in ridership is expected because the trip to Boston on Rt 2 is so bad.

So, if the trip on Rt 2 is so bad that a substantial rate hike isn't likely to divert riders back onto the highway why divert precious transportation funds from road and bridge repairs for commuter rail?

Any "improvements" to the commuter rail line should be funded by additional rate increases. Let those that stand to benefit pick up the tab.

1 Comments:

  • At 11/11/2006 06:35:00 PM, Blogger Thomas Coolberth said…

    we're not England....yet.

    This is anecdotal .. but a friend who lives on the southward running line to New Bedford saw his values go thru the roof when the train came.

    They may have to spend the $300M on the rail because the chances of making route 2 a real highway through Concord and Lincoln are approximately 0%.

     

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