by Rockingham Racer
Agreed. He wants it both ways.
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Rockingham Racer wrote: ↑Tue Nov 05, 2019 5:01 am Agreed. He wants it both ways.When the same politician and/or political party suggests both balancing of the books and increasing capital for improvements - that is usually a sign that fare increases are soon to arrive. In all other government programs outside of transit - expect higher taxes.
lordsigma12345 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2019 11:19 pmAmtrak Shuttles: It has never been the plan for Amtrak to serve the infill stations. Earlier plans even contemplated ceasing service on the shuttles at one or two of the present stations: one of the Windsor's, and one of the stations south of Hartford, either Meriden or Berlin I think.jxzz wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2019 5:00 pmI don't see Enfield happening until service frequency is increased and all infrasturcture work is done. I simply don't see Amtrak wanting all their trains to stop at all of CTDOT's proposed infill stations as it would add time to the trips. What probably makes sense is when CTrail is eventually able to increase the train NHV-HFD frequency even more, the Amtrak trains could add the Enfield stop but run express from Hartford to New Haven.JcPinCT wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2019 2:48 pmThat is right read on CT. There is no way to cut off Enfield from this line. If it goes to Enfield, it is almost there in Springfield.lordsigma12345 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2019 8:53 am I do think Springfield and Mass folks should take notice of some of the work included in the Windsor Locks station project. Some of the work seems to be designed to make Windsor Locks a possible northern terminus for the service.From a political standpoint, I doubt that Windsor Locks would be the northern terminus as an Enfield station is planned and local officials have recently been vocal about supporting the station - even to the effect of providing funding for a temporary platform. I highly doubt the temporary platform would happen, but I'm sure that Enfield officials made that offer to let the state know that they are holding them to the promise of a Hartford Line stop.
The most possible case is, if MA does not cough up for funding on this, or any related project such as Springfield East West rail to Boston, CT is going to leave the line north of Hartford as it is, a gift only as it is, but not going to invest that much more.
jxzz wrote: ↑Fri Oct 25, 2019 8:00 amMBTA and rail in western Mass and NW CT is a study in conflicting ideas. They buy the HRRC ROW in Mass with the hopes of Berkshire service, and to improve the condition of the line. CtDOT, having been burned by HRRC before, has no interest. They fund the scenic operation in North Adams. You hear about all these "great" ideas for west of Worcester, and the only thing we'll see is the Berkshire service via Amtrak on CSX. Maybe they just don't consider this service as "the juice being worth the squeeze".Backshophoss wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2019 6:42 pm MassDOT/MBTA have yet to state their intentions on "T" West,based in Springfield.Given the history of lack of enthusiasm for Western mass rails in massDot, I am not sure where is "T" West coming from.
All massDot is planning is afterthoughts. I posted in MBTA east west thread of recent conference in Boston, experts were predicting minimal rail connecting Worcester to Springfield taking advantage of what CT has invested on CTrail.
Rockingham Racer wrote: ↑Mon Nov 04, 2019 8:06 pm Then why is Baker proposing billions of dollars to bring the system up to speed?Baker is spending money on rapid transit SOGR because he wouldn't have been elected to a second term otherwise. He axed late night subway service because of the subsidy required. He's also alleged to be the major driver behind the recent increase in MBTA weekend shutdowns because of the money saved on the construction costs.
Jeff Smith wrote: ↑Tue Nov 05, 2019 10:39 amDeval Patrick's plan for HRRC service cost about exactly as much proportionally compared to his big project in Boston as the population of Hampshire + Hamden county compared to the population of the rest of the state. He needed the liberal democratic pro-transit folks in the western end of the state so that he could get what he really wanted, which was a package for the MBTA. I haven't analyzed the Baker administration plan but it sounds like the same kind of political calculus, except BOS-SPG service actually makes sense where service to the Berkshires or Greenfield will probably do poorly for the next 20 years.jxzz wrote: ↑Fri Oct 25, 2019 8:00 amMBTA and rail in western Mass and NW CT is a study in conflicting ideas. They buy the HRRC ROW in Mass with the hopes of Berkshire service, and to improve the condition of the line. CtDOT, having been burned by HRRC before, has no interest. They fund the scenic operation in North Adams. You hear about all these "great" ideas for west of Worcester, and the only thing we'll see is the Berkshire service via Amtrak on CSX. Maybe they just don't consider this service as "the juice being worth the squeeze".Backshophoss wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2019 6:42 pm MassDOT/MBTA have yet to state their intentions on "T" West,based in Springfield.Given the history of lack of enthusiasm for Western mass rails in massDot, I am not sure where is "T" West coming from.
All massDot is planning is afterthoughts. I posted in MBTA east west thread of recent conference in Boston, experts were predicting minimal rail connecting Worcester to Springfield taking advantage of what CT has invested on CTrail.