Many local leaders reiterate their support for the commuter rail project and it’s importance to the future of our state.

“This is a once-in-lifetime opportunity to invest in our infrastructure, our economy and our future,” NHBTI President Mark Richardson said. “It is absolutely vital for New Hampshire that we invest in projects that create opportunity today, yet will serve us well for decades to come.”

Check out the rest of the article here, and be sure to get involved with the comments section at the bottom of the page.

-Brian

Gov. John Lynch said last week that it may be some years before the system is up and running, but progress is being made. The cost to the state for the rail extension could be around $70 million, and add another $100 million if the Nashua-to-Manchester segment is eventually built.

Off the rails and on the road, the Boston Express bus line connecting Nashua to Boston is running ahead of expectations after 20 months in service. The company had hoped to attract 10,000 monthly riders and instead hit 12,000 in August.

Out on the Seacoast, the Downeaster train, which runs from Maine, through New Hampshire and into Boston, has seen a 28 percent increase in passengers in 2008. Earlier this year, the line hit more than 40,000 riders for the month, and several of the rush-hours trains have been running at near capacity.

It’s nice to see that mass transit is, as the Telegraph says “front burner of New Hampshire”. These editorials usually spawn about a dozen comments, all of which are interesting to read. Click here to check out the rest of the article.

-Brian Doherty

A new edition to the blog is the Fact Sheet page. This new page is an easy to read web version of a Fact Sheet published by the NHRTA last month. It contains a wealth of information regarding project goals, financial information, project progress and it’s future goals. For a printable version PDF version of the document, head back to the main nhcommuterrail.com website here.

Also, did you know you can subscribe to RSS feeds for this blog? By clicking on the RSS Feed icon in the top right corner, you can get up to date links to the latest stories posted here. It’s a great way to quickly check for updates on the Commuter Rail Project. Here is an example of using the RSS Feed in Firefox.

Also, don’t hesitate to check out some sponsors listed on the right side of the website. Every click helps keep the website up and running!

-Brian Doherty

On weekends, the one round-trip left Concord at a more civilized hour, allowing visitors and families to take the train and spend a day in Boston. This train was often “sold out” as it left Nashua, and for the first time in decades, the B&M was calling for an extra train to operate from Lowell to Boston, since the packed New Hampshire train would have to run express from Lowell to Boston.

The letter gives a brief history of the service and goes on to explain how returning the Commuter Rail to New Hampshire could be benefitial to our state and the nation as a whole. Head here to read the letter.

-Brian Doherty

In a world of $4-a-gallon gasoline prices, grocery bills that break the family piggy bank, a seemingly endless home foreclosure crisis, and rising anxiety about the unsettled state of the US economy, there is at least one winner: the MBTA.

In fiscal 2008, according to numbers to be released today by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, nearly 375 million people took public transportation, 21 million more riders than the state agency had in fiscal 2007, a 6 percent leap and the highest ridership total in the agency’s 44-year history.

The rise in usage of public transportation is becoming increasingly evident. Let’s hope the restoration of Commuter Rail service to New Hampshire happens as quickly as possible. Head here to read the rest of the story.

-Brian Dohert

Derry News - Commuter rail advocates find they have ally in governor

“Re-establishing rail in New Hampshire is critical to our future economic growth as a state,” Lynch said. “It will help protect the environment and improve the overall quality of life in our state. That is why it is important we work together and take the necessary steps to bring commuter rail back to New Hampshire.

Eagle Tribune - State ready to invest $10 million for rail stop in Plaistow Would link Haverhill and Southern N.H

The state is close to spending $10 million to extend the commuter rail line from Haverhill to Plaistow, N.H., said Baddour, D-Methuen. A state transportation bond bill includes the money for the project, which has been discussed since March. Baddour said he expects the money to receive approval from all legislative groups that review it, as well as Gov. Deval Patrick.

Nashua Telegraph -Train station would add to retail project

The fact that the builder is delaying construction while the state is moving faster than predicted on commuter rail means a rail station at Nashua Landing is once again a viable proposition, and we hope the developers will work with the city to revive the idea.

As always, all the articles are great reads. As you can see, activity on the Commuter Rail project is advancing on multiple fronts. Reiterate your support for the project by contacting your local and state representatives!

-Brian Doherty

U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown of Jacksonville, head of a House subcommittee on railroads, pipelines and hazardous materials, says California, Texas and Illinois are already lining up for rail projects.

Unless the governor and Legislature take the lead fast, she warns that Florida “might be left in the dust.”

Florida needs a rail network that links every major city and international airport, plus bus lines that tie every mid-sized city to the system. It is essential that it immediately find a way to offer regular rail service between Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville and Miami.

The big crowds suddenly showing up at Florida train stations are strong evidence that travelers know something most politicians in Tallahassee don’t. For safe, inexpensive travel, you can’t beat a train.

It is a very good read. This article serves as yet another example that the rest of the nation realizes that train service is vital to our future, and that New Hampshire needs to hop on board. Click here to read the rest.

-Brian Doherty

“Re-establishing rail in New Hampshire is critical to our future economic growth as a state. It will help protect the environment and improve the overall quality of life in our state. That is why it is important we work together and take the necessary steps to bring commuter rail back to New Hampshire,” Gov. Lynch said. “I am pleased sign this important piece of legislation into law so we can continue the progress we have already made in returning rail to New Hampshire.”

Read the rest of the press release here.

-Brian Doherty 

Transportation experts who have pushed mass transit since the 1970s are getting their wish as soaring gas prices persuade Americans to abandon their cars for buses and trains in record numbers. But as the adage says, be careful what you wish for.

Mass transit ridership is at its highest point in 50 years, according to research by the American Public Transportation Association. For many riders, it just got too expensive to drive.

Obviously, the demand for more public transportation is rising. Hopefully, the New Hampshire legislature will hop on board completely in finding a way to return commuter rail service to the state. Head here for the rest of the article.

-Brian Doherty

Since 1980, railroads have reduced fuel consumption by 48 billion gallons and carbon dioxide emissions by 538 million tons — making railroads about four times more fuel efficient than trucks, the AAR said.

Head here to read the rest of the article.

-Brian Doherty