by num1hendrickfan
Tommy Meehan wrote:What's not to get?If CDOT want's to put commuter service on the line, then the best bet would be to double and triple track strategic parts of the line, along with the building of new stations in convenient locations for passengers. It wouldn't hurt to install catenary on the line as well in order to seamlessly integrate the line into NEC and allow for a one seat ride from say GCT to Hartford, I believe there's enough pent up ridership this would be a boon to the Connecticut and New York Region. Personally I think anything beyond Hartford should be left to Amtrak.
Connecticut wants to put commuter service on the line. Amtrak doesn't want to do that. In fact by law I don't think Amtrak is allowed to do that.
Connecticut has an agreement with Amtrak. To put in (and pay for) the infrastructure needed to operate commuter service. Double-track, signal upgrades, additional stations, probably more parking.
MBTA, NJ Transit, Septa and MARC have done this all along the NEC, invest in infrastructure on a route they don't own.
CDOT doesn't have an operating agreement yet, they don't need one yet. They're not ready to run trains. But all the parties have agreed publicly (including MassDOT) that they will support this.
What's not to get?