Rail Revitalization. $25 million.

In review here is the mathmatical formula:

taxes+democrats+ideas+plum jobs= Rail.

Try going to this meeting and bringing up the following topics:

1. New Hampshire is over 200 million in deficit and cannot pay for its existing roads, bridges.

2. The price of gasoline is going down.

3. IMPORTANT POINT: According to the most recent minutes of the Vermont Rail Council, Vermont is actively working to reroute this whole high-speed rail proposal through western Mass. and then north bypassing New Hampshire because NH would not pay some $50K to pay yet another well-educated consultant to explain using three syllable words how this would be a viable idea.

4. The Lebanon rail trail that runs to near Concord would have to be taken over. Of course the volunteers that have done alot of work on this trail.....oh well.

5. If there is such a market for passenger service between Boston and Montreal then why aren't the airlines serving these points with large aircraft. $25 million in annual revenue. The airport in Lebanon is as I understand barely making a go of it. (see post below).

MANCHESTER – Given the high gas prices and the public's desire for more transportation choices, New Hampshire's rail enthusiasts are displaying "I think I can" optimism when it comes to expanding passenger train service.

Rail advocates are hosting a forum tonight at Saint Anselm College to discuss how increased passenger rail service could accelerate the state's economy.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis will be the keynote speaker.

Peter Griffin, president of the New Hampshire Railroad Revitalization Association, said the state must diversify its transportation structure in the same way investors put their money into several retirement plan mutual funds. He said Maine has made great inroads with the Downeaster, which offers passenger service from Portland, Maine, to Boston.

In New Hampshire, rail advocates are pushing for the New Hampshire Northern Corridor Project, which calls from high-speed rail service between Boston and Montreal, Canada. The first phase of a study by the Vermont department of transportation found more than 600,000 people would use the service and generate nearly $25 million annual revenue. Griffin said his group wants the New Hamps

Source: Manchester Union Leader Newspaper.

Comments

[Steven J. Connolly]

I mention the airport in Lebanon because it is located on the Boston-Montreal corridor. Plus it is a feeder service to Boston and Montreal.

Like I stated its barely making it. The latest I've heard is that the airport wants to add convention space and possibly a coffee shop to its terminal building. I'm sure this will make all kinds of revenue.

Alas! the lucky taxpayers of Lebanon.

[PSR]

The best day to invest in infrastructure and plan for the long term never seems to be "today". Later is always better, and there will always be excuses why we should not do something like this - now.