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Keeping Track of Rail in New Hampshire
listen:
  Despite decades of effort by train activists, the Granite State is far from being “all aboard†when it comes to funding train projects. We’ll look at the few success stories and the many challenges other projects have faced - political, financial and practical. Laura's guests are Peter Griffin, President of the New Hampshire Railroad Revitalization Association and Representative Ken Weyler, Republican from Kingston who has served on the finance committee for twelve years. We'll also hear from Wayne Gagne, Chair of the Nashua Commuter Rail Advisory Committee and Bob Sculley, President of the New Hampshire Motor Transport Association.
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Maine, like NH, is also a 'rural' state. However, the success of the Downeaster has debunked the myth that passenger rail can only survice in dense urban areas.
NH did not 'step up to the plate' in funding the Downeaster, yet nearly 40% of its riders come from the Granite State. If it weren't for the support of the online communities of Dover, Durham and Exeter, there would be no service at all to NH.
Being a highway engineer for over 25 years, I know that slightly over half of the funds for highways come from user fees. The rest is a subsidy from the general fund. Highway don't pay their own way, nor should any other mode be expected to do so. New Hampshires highway-only trust fund laws are outdate relics of the early part of the last century.
Daily passenger rail service from Concord, Nashua and Manchester is a no brainer. Get on board, New Hampshire! ... don't let the naysayers sink this effort!