A new commuter rail service may be headed toward Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. The state of Connecticut is moving ahead with a commuter rail line starting in New Haven and ending in Enfield.

[Bob Lafleur]

In another article the governor is proposing to spend $3 BILLION to fix bridges.$30 million is a drop compared to that.

Also, where did you come up with that Amtrak charges $46 for a one-way ticket to New Haven? They are between $17 and $29, depending upon day and time of travel. Check www.amtrak.com website.

Of course a Peter Pan spokesman is going to be against the NHHS Commuter Rail! It could significantly cut into their bus business.

Let's get with the program and get the Commuter Rail into Springfield!

[GetWithFiefox]

Try loading this page in Firefox. It needs some work.

[John]

Hey Rebecca good luck this project. Where will your petitions be in the coming days? I would like to add my name.

[Janet]

I travel from Palmer to Hartford five days a week, so with the rising gas prices the train from springfield would be a godsend for me. I also would like to add my name and support to the petitions.

[Rebecca]

Thanks for the support....I'm of the opinion that with joint ticketing, private bus companies can actually benefit from the increased movement of people to and from our region. That system works well in the Maine-Boston route.

The petition is always available via the "Sign the Petition" link on www.SpringfieldRail.org ...mailed in to the address on the brochure (also on the web page), or brought to our meeting:

Thursday May 22 at 7:30pm, at the Lathrop House Bed & Breakfast, 188 Sumner Ave., Springfield.

[Will]

Being someone who has commuted from Waltham to Boston via the MBTA commuter rail regularly in the past, I have seen how valuable this service is, and know that it'll be yet another step in the right direction as far as revitalizing Springfield goes.

I know that this initiave is an important first step. In the future, I'd also like to see a commuter rail connect Springfield to Worcester, which would link Massachusetts's three largest cities. The creation of these two lines would be an absolute boon for the city of Springfield.

[edjew]

I am so on board with this idea. If this city is to become what it wants to be then this rail line is a must. I think it will bring alot of people this way and attract companies to downtown spfld.

[Railfan]

Anything to bring back efficient and frequent rail service would be a great benefit to the region. I would most certainly choose a high speed train to Boston or NYC any day of the week ... and while we are at it - why not some kind of easy rail link from BDL to the north-south route? In many European cities one can step off a train platform and into a check-in counter or vice versa.

The downside is: downtown Springfield. Continues to be the kind of place (especially after hours) the general public doesn't want to be. No safe place to park, etc. Unless this problem is fixed - I can't see any rail solution to/for/within Springfield being successful.

[Observer]

I'm all for the rail service. A good idea. But...The overall infastructure needs to be upgraded also. In other words, how do I get from the station to my employer that is perhaps 2 miles away?

Example: I lived in Enfield, CT and worked in Hartford, but not downtown. My employer was 3-4 miles from the train station. NO way to get there.

[Rebecca]

Hi Observer, Yes, the infrastructure will be re-done via the Union Station upgrade. A consultant will issue a report about plans for developing an intermodal transportation system.....I envision that shuttles will rapidly take you from the train to the employer.

Observer wrote:

I'm all for the rail service. A good idea. But...The overall infastructure needs to be upgraded also. In other words, how do I get from the station to my employer that is perhaps 2 miles away?
Example: I lived in Enfield, CT and worked in Hartford, but not downtown. My employer was 3-4 miles from the train station. NO way to get there.