Story Archives of 'Commuter Rail'

As gas prices approach four dollars a gallon, trains are getting more attention, with many saying it’s time to add more rail transport for passengers and cargo. But others say the costs of rail far outweigh the benefits. We’ll explore the latest proposals for rail and the viability of trains in the Granite State.

Guests

• Peter Griffin, president of the New Hampshire Railroad Revitalization Association
• Leon Kennison, former Department of Transportation commissioner and current town administrator in Pittsfield

We'll also hear from

• Kit Morgan, Bureau of Rail and Transit Administrator for the New Hampshire Department of Transportation
• Bob Sculley, president of the New Hampshire Motor Transport Association

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.

On Monday, a commuter train is scheduled to run between Lowell, Massachusetts, and Manchester.

The trip is being hosted by Second District Congressman Charles Bass, to demonstrate the possibility of rail service to the Queen City.

Several state, municipal, and business leaders have signed on to take the ride.

And as New Hampshire Public Radio's David Darman reports, they're planning to climb on board to show their interest in reviving the railroad in the state.

When New Hampshire's Supreme Court ruled that gas taxes could not fund passenger trains, it was a major setback for Granite State rail advocates. Troubles with rail projects in the state is not new. We'll look at why getting trains going in New Hampshire has been so difficult. Mike's guests are Kit Morgan, administrator of the bureau of rail and transit at the New Hampshire Department of Transportation, and Ron O'Blenis, consultant from Parson Brinkerhoff. We'll also hear from Stephen Williams, executive director of the Nashua regional planning commission.

The Northeast is breathing a sigh of relief as the prospect of an Independence Day Amtrak shutdown has disappeared.

The Bush Administration and Amtrak officials have cut a deal to help the financially strapped rail system through September.

But a solution to Amtrak's financial woes could pit the Northeast against other parts of the country, and appears to have divided New Hampshire's delegation.

NHPR's Washington correspondent Don Rush has this report.