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Nashua New Hampshire - All Aboard!!! Last Call!!!

Good News for New Hampshire Buyers, Sellers, Developers and those relocating to New Hampshire

Nashua nh commuter rail All Aboard - Last Call ~~~ After 40 years without with a daily commuter rail service, it looks like passenger rail from Lowell Massachusetts to the Granite State is closer to becoming a reality.

Last Friday, Governor Lynch signed Senate Bill 75 which created an independent authority charged with restoring commuter rail service from Massachusetts to Nashua.

The New Hampshire Rail Transit Authority will consist of 27 members and is charged with bring mass transit to Nashua and other parts of the State. This is an important step in reducing the congestion on our highways and improving air pollution and fuel consumption. Rail stations with parking are planned first in Nashua and Manchester.

Funding has been the biggest hurdle to restoring commuter rail in the past. The New Hampshire Supreme Court ruled in 2004 that the New Hampshire constitution prohibited the state from tapping into the gas tax to pay for the project.

After the blow from the Supreme Court, the supporters of commuter rail went back to the drawing board and changed the focus from a transportation project to an economic development project, which included the building of stations.

Steven Williams, the executive director of the Nashua Regional Planning Commission and other concern citizens came up with a new motto to move forward with the new economic development focus ... "Don't sell the steak, sell the sizzle"!

The focus on economic development was key to passage of SB 75. It is expected that the project will cost about $80 million. According to Steven Williams, the commuter rail project will start with 8 round trips per day, 950 round trip riders per day on opening day and increase to 3000 round trip riders per day in 20 years. Commuter rail will cut down on fuel consumption, relieve congestion and improve the environment.

Another remaining stumbling bloc is the issue of liability. Surrounding states have a liability cap for damages resulting for rail accidents. In order for the project to move forward it is necessary for New Hampshire to pass a similar liability cap, currently proposed at $75 million.

It is important for New Hampshire concerned citizens to let their legislators know they support commuter rail and the liability cap. Wayne Gagne, a proponent of commuter rain for the past 34 years is chairman of the Commuter Rail Advisory Committee. To find out more about the commuter rail project and how to contact your legislator, you can access information at the Commuter Rail Advisory Committee website. http://www.nhcommuterrail.com/.

NHAR Public Policy subchair

Disclaimer: Information herein may come from various sources, some of which may not be reliable and may change without any notice. Joan Whitebook does not guarantee or is any way responsible for the accuracy of the information in this blog and information provided is without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Information on this blog represents the opinions and ideas of the author; comments by others may not express the views of the author.
Copyright © 2007-2009 By Joan Whitebook, all rights reserved.*" Nashua New Hampshire - All Aboard!!! Last Call!!! "

Posted by Joan Whitebook, ABR,e-Pro,CEBA Southern New Hampshire on 07/29/2007 03:59 PM

Comments (14)

Commuter Rail in the ActiveRain Channel

new hampshire, new hampshire buyers, sellers, developers, commuter rail, ecofriendly, environment

Originally posted at: Real Estate in New Hampshire : Nashua New Hampshire - All Aboard!!! Last Call!!!

This post has been included in New Hampshire Information Hillsborough County, NH Information Nashua, NH Information

14 Comments on Nashua New Hampshire - All Aboard!!! Last Call!!!

JUL

2007

Now that is great news but what about Concord?The rail system still runs (actively) here! We want a piece of the pie too!

I am a real proponent of it. When i was younger there was extensive commuter rail in Mass. and I used it to go to Boston for years!

Do I also understand they are putting the highway extension on hold?

Joan, at the price of gas these days people are going to have to start looking more and more to public transportation. It is getting to the point that you have to go out and take out a personal loan to be able to fill your tank with gas.

Oahu is going to get a rail system...only from Kapolei to Town ...that's it....and they taxed us independents....raised from 4 to 4.5 on our GET tax so we can hop on board with our clients....just kidding. I think it'll be great for the tourists and the commuters to town for work. It'll also cut down on our horrendous traffic congestion.

Hi Joan: If the funding is available, they are planning to expand to Concord. I think that woud be great. One could take the train right ot the airport -- go to boston -- or catch a Red Sox Game.

George - one of the things that has been tmost difficult moving from San Francisco to New Hampshire is the lack of public transporation. It would be great for the cnvironment and for the economy if there was a commuter rail system. I am sure there are probably some polical things going on in he background, but it is ashame that there is no commuter rail in this state!

Sally -- I think every little bit helps. However, it would be great if there was an efficieint system which cut down on pollution. It is a first step and I hope to see more progress in the future. Thanks for commenting Sally.

JUL

2007

Joan, another super localism post! We have excellent rail commuter options in the D.C./Baltimore corridor, and I think we take it for granted. This post reminds me that commuter rail is truly is a blessing for an area.

Margaret -- you certainly are blessed with excellent transportion. I was really surprise when I move to NH to find that it was so difficult to get from NH to Boston. I was spoiled with BART in San Francisco! I hope this project can finally get a head of steam. Congrulations on your localism featured post as well.

Joan - Great post. I especially like the way you urge residents to contact their legislators. This is such an important part of getting legislation passed and so many times it is overlooked. As constituents people need to remember to express their opinion so the politicians remember who and what they are working for.

I'm excited for you out east! Wish we could get a commuter rail system back in Michigan! I spent a 4 hour layover at the airport Sunday Morning waiting for a 20 minute flight -- a rail system would be appreciated and a much better alternative!

Mary -- I am surprised to her that you don't have a commuter rail in Michigan. It really can be a hassle g etting to and from airports. I am looking forward to the day when one can take the train either to Boston Logan -- or to the Manchester NH airport! That is going to be great.

I appreciate your comments on the need for constituents to contact their legisltors. This is important in order for this project to be accomplished.

AUG

2007

I'm sure it will be a success Joan. Southern NH is growing so much, public transit is a must. Here in Hampton, we're fairly close to Newburyport's MBTA stop.

Hi Sue: I am hoping that it is time for rapid transit to come to NH. It would be good for those who are commuting and obviously, great for the environment. You are lucky to be near Newbuyerport's MBTA stop.

JOAN - Isn't that crazy? No commuter trains in Michigan? I remember when I was very young (4 or 6?), my parents took me on one of the very last, maybe the last, commuter runs in Michigan. My Mom told me "remember this -- this will never be again"!

In her infinite wisdome I HOPE she was not correct in this instance!

Isn't it sad that we all chose cars over rails? Thanks to Henry (Ford) for that! I would love to see trains/rails make a come back. There are so many innovations in the "people moving" world.

After traveling the Public Transportation system in Victoria, British Columbia I found it was an absolute JOY to read a novel (Ireland) and let someone else do the driving!!!

Contact those legislators and congress people!!!

Mary-- Thanks for your comments and for that message at the end. It is important to let the legislature know.

Personally, I really miss the trains -- besides relaxing and reading a book, one can "network" on the train as well. I used to meet so many people when I was commuting by rapid transit in San Francisco. I think once people try it they will get less addicted to their cars.

DITTO! Not to mention, one can always find the BEST places to eat and frequent when away from home by NETWORKING with the locals! I was amazed how the locals on the commuter knew which route to take to reach a destination!!! Great post Joan!

Let's hope everyone Contacts those legislators and congress people!!!

AUG

2007

Thanks again Mary -- I will let you and others know how things are progressing.

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